So far in my photography career of almost 2 years, 90% of my sessions have been senior picture shoots. I graduated last year so I know a lot of the upcoming seniors and most of the business I receive is thanks to word of mouth. I've been lucky enough to work with friends, acquaintances, and mutual friends.  The sessions usually go at about the same pace as far as getting the client comfortable and giving them time to warm up to the camera to achieve natural smiles and gestures.  I love that I am able to break through the awkwardness the client is feeling due to an unsure confidence and make photographs they end up loving.  But today I was faced with a challenge.  It was the first time I just couldn’t get through to this unassured senior.  She was so hesitant and not unwilling to do what I asked, but almost as if she didn’t trust me.  Her movements were slow and she looked around as if she were looking for a place to hide.  So I decided it was time to lower the camera, sit, and chat.  We skipped the small talk and went straight to the uncomfortable stuff.  I was able to connect with her and be very honest in sharing similar feelings about the opinions of others, looking different, being different, and learning to accept yourself.  I discovered her talents and hobbies.  She finally put some trust in me.  We continued to take pictures and used a prop that pertained to one of her hobbies which made her feel less pressured because she was doing something she liked and she felt as though the focus was no longer on her.  Her uneasy smile and wandering eyes shifted to a loving grin and a positive energy.  I was finally getting amazing shots of this sweet girl, showing her a few on the dslr screen, and getting feedback that I couldn’t have imagined.  Her silence as she flipped through the photos was the most fulfilling silence I have ever felt while shooting.  She looked up from the camera and said, “I love them.”  Something she herself would have never imaged saying as she looked at her own photograph. 
What a day.

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