Why are you an image creator? Did you become a photographer for the money or to fulfill your need to be creative? The longer I’m in this business, the more I understand my “why” for doing what I love to do. Yes, I have made a great living in this profession, more than I could have ever imagined, but there has to be more than just money, right? My “why” has to do with the ability to capture a person’s essence or soul in a photograph. Part of this talent is realized in the beginning of the client relationship. During our initial consultation, I ask a lot of questions about clients’ “why” and motivation for having a portrait created at this time in their life.
One profound question I ask to learn how my clients see themselves is, “If this was the last set of photographs of you ever taken, how would you want to be remembered?” This question really makes people think about their own mortality. It kind of hits them right between the eyes! But what if you actually know this will probably be your last set of photographs? This was the exact situation for one of my new clients who walked into my studio a few weeks ago.
Teresa was notified two days earlier that she had the same rare cancer that took the lives of her sister and father years before. She also was informed that she would begin some pretty radical treatments immediately. As she shared her touching story with me and my staff, it took me back almost 14 years to the day when my late wife and Josh’s mom Sue went in for her second cancer surgery.
I hardly knew Teresa but I knew that my “why” was to capture this lovely person’s essence before she would start the fight of her life. I made it my mission, as I do with every client, to tell her story through portrait art. We had little time to accomplish our goal, so we started right away. I ended up photographing her three separate times. One of the sessions was more formal at the studio. Another was with her horses and barn. The last one was with her dogs and her favorite 3-mile hike in the mountains. Teresa’s passion for life and courage to battle cancer inspired me ways I can’t even describe! I feel that I am producing some of the best work I have in years!
What’s your “why” for being a photographer? Mine is preserving memories and creating heirlooms for generations to come. Discover your “why” and post it on our fan page. I’d love to know why you are a photographer—and it might inspire others.
Thanks, everyone, for all your phone calls, emails, and Facebook posts. Both Josh and I are honored to be able to interact with such great people on a daily basis!
Bruce Hudson
One profound question I ask to learn how my clients see themselves is, “If this was the last set of photographs of you ever taken, how would you want to be remembered?” This question really makes people think about their own mortality. It kind of hits them right between the eyes! But what if you actually know this will probably be your last set of photographs? This was the exact situation for one of my new clients who walked into my studio a few weeks ago.
Teresa was notified two days earlier that she had the same rare cancer that took the lives of her sister and father years before. She also was informed that she would begin some pretty radical treatments immediately. As she shared her touching story with me and my staff, it took me back almost 14 years to the day when my late wife and Josh’s mom Sue went in for her second cancer surgery.
I hardly knew Teresa but I knew that my “why” was to capture this lovely person’s essence before she would start the fight of her life. I made it my mission, as I do with every client, to tell her story through portrait art. We had little time to accomplish our goal, so we started right away. I ended up photographing her three separate times. One of the sessions was more formal at the studio. Another was with her horses and barn. The last one was with her dogs and her favorite 3-mile hike in the mountains. Teresa’s passion for life and courage to battle cancer inspired me ways I can’t even describe! I feel that I am producing some of the best work I have in years!
What’s your “why” for being a photographer? Mine is preserving memories and creating heirlooms for generations to come. Discover your “why” and post it on our fan page. I’d love to know why you are a photographer—and it might inspire others.
Thanks, everyone, for all your phone calls, emails, and Facebook posts. Both Josh and I are honored to be able to interact with such great people on a daily basis!
Bruce Hudson
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