Five Photography Goals: Developing my bucket list
Setting goals isn’t a new concept. Every person or business does them...daily to-do lists, monthly checklists, yearly goals. They come in the form of a chore list for the day, a new year’s resolution, or even financial goals.
The idea of setting goals actually gives me a bit of anxiety. Perhaps the anxiety is leftover from my corporate days where goals were a yearly exercise that seemed like a futile attempt at fitting my personal goals into corporate metrics. Often not quite aligning. Or trying to make SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. I always struggled to figure out how to measure a dream, a desire.
I’ve taken a slightly different approach to goals lately. I have the normal goals – financial, weight loss, healthy eating, etc. – and begrudgingly I’ve used those corporate goal writing skills to hone these. But, I’ve also started to think about – even dream about – the big goals. A bucket list of sorts.
A bucket list is loosely defined as the experiences or achievements one wishes to accomplish in their lifetime. Dreaming about a bucket list sounds like so much more fun than setting SMART goals. It’s the word experiences that drew me to the idea of making a bucket list. What are the experiences I want to have? What are the feelings I want to evoke, the emotions I want to feel, the memories I want to create?
For me, a bucket list in my personal life looks very different from that in my photography life. For me personally, my bucket list might look like grand adventures, dreams for my children, long-lasting love for my husband, strong sibling bonds. Perhaps that is a blog post for another day. For now, I’ve started to dream about my photography bucket list.
A Proposal
I love love. I mean, who doesn’t?!? I’ve seen so many wonderful photos of a proposal where a photographer is secretly hiding behind a plant waiting to snap the perfect picture of surprise as their partner drops to one knee. The proposal is usually followed by an ambush engagement photo session where the love and excitement just can’t be contained. No fake smiles in those photos!
You may recall that in a very roundabout way I’ve checked this off my bucket list. Not too long ago, while on a family vacation, I happened to witness a proposal and just started snapping. No, it wasn’t planned for me to be there and I wasn’t hiding behind any plants. In fact, I was casually standing next to the couple when my sister began frantically hitting me and pointing. The photo session happened naturally from there, and I’m pleased to share that the couple was thrilled they had someone to capture the moment.
So, you’re likely asking yourself – why is this still on her bucket list then? Well, as much as I enjoyed the surprise engagement/proposal session. Next time, I might like to be part of the plan instead of surprised. I don’t mind hiding behind plants ready to jump out and snap at just the right moment.
A Birth
The fact that birth photography is on my bucket list even surprises me a little. Having given birth twice myself and opted not to a) have it professionally photographed or b) to even look in the available mirror makes me question why I’d want to photograph someone else’s birth. But, when mulling it over...I love love. Do you see a pattern here?
There is perhaps no greater innocent and exciting expressions of love than at the birth of a child. The joy a new life brings to the world is overwhelming and the expressions on faces just can’t be missed. The bonus for me is getting to experience that joy and excitement without having to have another baby of my own. So, if you’re expecting and want to capture those first moments with your new little love, I’m your girl!
Multiples
Twins, triplets, quads, quints...you name it! I have a goal to do more newborn photography. I have a growing set of props and pose ideas ready for in-home newborn photo sessions. I like the challenge that an in-home session provides. Finding the perfect light, keeping the baby warm and happy, and capturing the new family in their personal space. All of that gives me all the feels!
But, I’ve never done a session with multiples! I imagine this would be quite a challenge, especially with more than two babies. However, multiples have the sweetest little cuddles and love for each other left from their time in the womb. The closeness allows for beautiful photos. I sadly don’t know anyone expecting multiples that are willing to let me check off this bucket list item. But one day...one day we’ll find just the right babies!
Generations
It’s hard to articulate why I like doing family photography so much. I like capturing a family at just the moment they are in. Perhaps that is the terrible twos where no kiddo will smile, or the sassy stage when every pose includes putting hands on hips, or even the photos with multiple generations. It’s so sweet to see a new baby with their grandparents. It’s a special peek into their world when life has truly come full circle.
I have pictures with my own children, myself and my parents. I’ve also shot babies and grandparents. But, I’ve never had the opportunity to shoot great grandparents or even great-great-grandparents. Multi-generational families seem rarer these days, but I’m sure they are out there and I’m ready to capture them!
Portraits
Yes, I’m a natural light portrait photographer. Meaning, my subject is usually people’s faces. When put that way, it sounds so boring! Taking portraits is my photography bread and butter if you will. Taking pictures of plants or landscapes has just never been my thing. I love to look into my camera and ponder where I’ll focus to capture someone’s beauty or how I can turn someone to get just the right expression and light. The face, the body, the human emotion is what I enjoy capturing the most.
So, why are portraits on my bucket list? I desire to do artistic, dreamy, emotional, intimate portraits. Portraits of someone famous or important. Think Annie Leibovitz style photos. Photos that show someone in a new way – perhaps even images considered to be provocative for their ability to show the person’s raw nature, beauty or style. Maybe Annie will read this, call me up and show me the ropes!
Dreaming big, that’s what bucket lists are all about! Bucket lists are bigger than goals, bigger than to-do lists. A bucket list is something that will take time, energy, and focus to accomplish. The items on my bucket list are not simply things I want to check off a list. These are items that I want to experience, relish, and celebrate. I want to be part of the tears at an engagement, the joy of birth, experience the love across generations, and share in someone’s vulnerability in an intimate portrait. I’m sure that I will cross these items off my list someday and likely add more experiences. More achievements.
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