I love doing birthday celebrations but to do one for someone who is 75 is an honor. I always said that I got into photography to take the photos for you to have when life doesn’t stand still, but a photo does, and this is a great example of why you should hire someone else to take the photos. I hate to see folks trying to take all the pictures at an event (the host, the kids, the uncle with the camera, etc) and they can’t enjoy the event. The mom whose child is turning one is so busy trying to get the perfect photos that they don’t see when the child smiles at a cousin, the event host trying to use her tripod for the moments and people stand in front of the camera blocking the best shots. This is why it’s so important to hire someone else to take the photos so that you can enjoy the moments. Why do legacy sessions matter? Here is how and why I loved photographing a 75th birthday celebration.
Legacy sessions are simply documentary style photos that are used to preserve someones life story. It’s less about “perfect portraits” and more about creating a visual heirloom. It matters because sometimes this is all a family has to hold on to. Moments that stand still. I love helping to create those moments and capturing those that are older are just as important as capturing those who are younger.
When my girl asked me to shoot her mom for her birthday party, I was excited to do so. Let me say this I don’t shoot events unless you are a regular client of mine or I know you personally. I need to make that disclaimer. Events are tedious, and I need to know the type of person you are before I shoot. Are you going to be the type to follow me around, the type to dictate stuff, the type to get in my way, etc. That has to be known beforehand because when it comes to events it’s a one time thing. There are no do overs and I we need to make sure we are all on one page.
When taking photos at the event my number one rule (this is for me) is to follow the birthday person around for 10 min break and take others for 5 then go back to the birthday person for 10 min then break and do 5 min of the event or others. It’s a reptitve thing I do and I am no talways on the money but I am close to it when it comes to timing. It helps me as a one person business owner to get as much moments as I can. For this event I did have my son along but chile…these kids….that’s all I will say about that.
Some photos below
She looked Goodt for 75 and I was proud to capture this event and these pictures will be used for generations to come and for going down memory lane anytime you want.
