Romance
What do you think of when you hear the word “romantic”? Do you think of you and your spouse, or do you think only of other couples? Do other people recognize and comment on how romantic you and your husband/wife are? Do you kiss in front of other people? Or hug? Are you comfortable showing affection in public? I don’t mean rolling-on-the-grass, “Hey,get-a-room !” kind of affection. I just mean, are you comfortable holding hands and giving a peck on the lips sort of thing?
Okay, I do want you to leave a comment and let me know.
It doesn’t seem too many years have passed since photographing couples was so….well, boring. They were posed, static, planned, and only a few were taken during a session. Film and developing costs made me feel like I had to have a darn good shot to push the shutter one more time. There had to be extra money in the account to justify having a little fun. I am soooooooooooooooo glad those days are over.
Have you ever heard of the experiment where several frogs were each placed in separate jars with lids on them? For thirty days, as they jumped, they hit their heads on the lids. When the lids were finally removed, the frogs never jumped out of the jars. Despite the fact that the lids were no longer there, they believed that the top of the jar was as high as they could go. It’s easy to relate this experiment to any number of areas of our lives, but I relate it to my continuing “stretching” of my photographic style. It takes a certain amount of reconditioning to get myself to realize there is no longer a lid on the jar. It doesn’t cost a thing to click the shutter one more time. I’ll be the first to admit that no matter how long I’ve been shooting there’s always something more out there for all of us, and I’m sure having a lot of fun trying to jump out of the jar.
To a photographer, or even a couple who has been married for a long time, romance is something worth photographing. When I shoot a young couple who are soooooo in love and have little inhibitions, it’s easy. They frolic, giggle, act silly, and generally have a great time together. Love is new; usually there are no kids, responsibilities, or heart aches, that take their toll on a marriage. After twenty-five years or so, it can be challenging to take a couple out and ask them to show their romantic side, especially in public. It can be done though. It just takes a little planning, maybe a few conversations, and the willingness to want to have something special to remember in their later years.
I hope you enjoy Tim and Melodee. They have been married for over twenty-five years. Memories mean a lot to Melodee, and I hope I have succeeded in giving both of them something they can be proud of, memories that will last a lifetime.
Romance is still in the air, so give someone a hug, kiss, or just look deeply into their eyes. It’s something worth remembering…memories for a lifetime.
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