Portraits as Ritual: Turning a Photo Shoot Into a Transformation

Habits vs Ritual

I recently did a meditation on Rituals with Jay Shetty. One of the things that struck me the most about the mediation was that the main difference between routines or habits and rituals is intention. A habit we can do without much thought, but a ritual involves bringing our entire selves to the present moment.

Turning Portraits into Ritual

Maybe you have a habit of booking an annual photo session for your family. Maybe you do it around a holiday or vacation, or just every year so you can see how your family changes over the years. If you do that, you’re way ahead of the curve! It’s hard to make that a habit and make it happen during crazy phases of life. I’m a portrait photographer and I am AWFUL at remember to do family photos of my own family.

But maybe instead of it being just another thing you’ve got to tick off the to do list, it can become a ritual for you and your family. That could look like:

• Planning a game night or ice cream trip afterwards

• For littles, picking out a new stuffie before the shoot

• Asking your teen for outfit advice before hand and picking clothes together

• Having a “watch party” together when the photos are delivered complete with popcorn and snacks

What I love about this concept is how meaningful it makes a session. AND how it can be applied to so many types of sessions. Senior portraits? Go for a special dinner afterwards why your teen is dressed up or to a movie. Individual portraits or headshots? Treat yourself to some spa time ahead of time or have a watch party with a friend who is going to hype you up.

Ritual over Routine

The bottom line is we all need routines to keep our everyday lives moving but intentionally choosing space for ritual can bring joy and meaning to the everyday.

How Did I get Here? Part IV

Graduation came and went.  At first I was determined to live purely off of my fine art photography, but as I continued my job at a local pool for the summer, I realized that some other cash would be necessary.  I mean, I do have a shoe habit that needs cash to be fed.  And there are lots of pretty shoes I still do not have. (It was a horrible, rainy day, and as I came down the ramp a huge gust of wind blew a puddle of  water off the tent and onto me and the girl in front of me.  She looked pretty worried, I thought it was hillarious.)

Not only did I have a shoe habit that needed aide, but I realized how much I love to take portraits.  I love capturing people, whether it's a couple, a wedding, a family, super cute babies, or goofy pets.  So I set out to take me some portraits.  My first test subjects were my previous boss Krissy, and her two adorable children.  Krissy works for SwimKids Swim School as well as teaching for George Mason University.  If you live in the Northern Virginia area, you should definitely check out SwimKids.  I had never before seen a 4 year old do butterfly, let alone teach a 4 year old to do butterfly.  They have a fantastic program, and I know 100% it has saved childrens lives.  They teach, safety, Mommy and Me classes, as well as competitive swimming.  And their instructors are the nicest, friendliest people you will ever meet.  SO, Krissy let me borrow her and her children for one of my favorite portrait shoots.

Krissy, Nayarit and Thrace

One of my favorite parts of a shoot that involves children, is when the kids finally start to relax around you and forget that you are there.  Then the great pictures start to flow, and their personalities start popping out.  It's a ton of fun.  More Posts from the Past to come!