People aren't as fearful of being photographed as one might imagine. Nor are they as paranoid about people photographing their children as some "experts" suggest. Good intentions are the secret

 

Just Sayin.

This young girl wants to be an actor. In fact, she already is. Her mom asked me to photograph her. We made photographs in my studio and then we walked over into the house and photographed some more. Her mom had coffee with B. while we photographed in the living room. No one was paranoid....

This young woman is an actress and an author. She also swam with our masters team for about a year until she moved to pursue her career. I asked her one day after swim practice if I could make portraits of her in my studio. I was 68 years old at the time. She was 22. She brought her mom with her. Her mom and I hit it off from the start. We all had a great session. It started with a genuine ask. Fun people are all around. Most are happy to collaborate if they get to know you. 

A child at a private school in Austin. The butterfly is real and alive. Not a prop.

I met this beautiful young woman on Sixth Street two years ago. I was 67. She was barely 25. We'd never met before. I just thought she had a great look and I told her so and asked if I could make a quick portrait of her. Why? I'd like to post it on Instagram. Cool! No paranoia involved. 

I met this person during a corporate shoot for other people in her organization. 

We worked together for an hour or so. After we were all done with the scheduled people I asked if she would come to the studio for a portrait session some day. During our  initial work together she could get an idea of what kind of person I was. She also knew the quality of the work.  

She immediately agreed and we set a time and day.

No creepiness involved. Just a fun collaboration and an exchange of time for retouched digital files. 

Why? Because it was fun for both of us. Photography is supposed to be fun.

Having a well done portrait of yourself should be fun. And have value.

Having a great image you can stick in your "book" or on your website is fun.

You just have to be crystal clear about your intentions. 

Portraiture is far from dead.

This person has been involved in several very successful high tech start-up companies. 

This was the third session over the last eight years I've done with him. His portrait is important to the marketing of companies he is involved with. It has value to him and to his enterprise. 

He was comfortable getting in touch and scheduling a portrait session. 

I was happy to photograph him and to learn more about his newest adventure.