Shooting through the pictures something I’ve been talking about since the mid 90s

I have to say photographers are lazy. I’ve heard so many photographers shoot 3, maybe 5 frames and say “I got it”

How can you possibly have it in three frames?

I shoot 50 frames for a single image.

I call it shooting through the picture.

Images that we get later in the session compared to earlier are always better.

These images are missed if we don’t capture them.

When you think you “have it”, call that your first frame, that’s your starting point.

Now keep shooting.

Where your idea goes from your first frames to your last frames is a journey that we must walk.

I’ve seen ideas go from OK to exceptional extremely quickly, but it only works if you stay with it.

“Nobody shoot’s my portrait except for CARTY”

James is a most elusive subject.

Hard to pin down.

Creative Director, Magazine Editor.

I complete these sessions in 10m or less.

I shoot relatively fast so these sessions happen quickly, but I shoot tons of frames.

I really believe the key is shooting with a rhythm so your subject gets to feel the rhythm of how you shoot.

That rhythm makes it easy to pose to an easy to push the photograph upwards.

Your subject will fill that rhythm with good energy, great expressions, and authentic content.

Once you’ve shot over 50 frames, your subject forgets the camera, they’re just in the rhythm, that is the ideal place to keep your subject, but you have to shoot enough frames to get them there.

Every portrait session should evolve.

The first frame shouldn’t look like the last frame.

If it does, I probably didn’t push hard enough.

I didn’t ask enough.

I didn’t experiment enough.

I didn’t stay curious enough.

Some of my favourite portraits over the last 36 years were never the first idea.

They were the fifth idea.

Or the tenth.

Or simply the original idea refined over another forty frames.

That’s why I almost never judge a photograph while I’m making it.

I’m judging the direction.

Is it getting stronger?

Is the connection getting deeper?

Is the expression becoming more believable?

If the answer is yes, I keep going.

Because every frame is information.

Every frame teaches me something.

Every frame gives me another opportunity to make a better picture.

The next time you think you’ve got the shot, don’t lower the camera.

Raise your expectations instead.

Tell yourself you’ve only just started.

Then shoot through the picture.

You might be surprised how much better your best work becomes when you simply refuse to stop too early.

I hope today brought you value.

See you next Saturday.

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Today’s post is brought to you by MPB.

One of the biggest mistakes I see photographers make is confusing collecting gear with building a business.

There’s a huge difference.

Every piece of equipment in your bag should have a job. If it isn’t helping you make better pictures, attract better clients, or generate more income, it’s probably time to rethink why you’re carrying it.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve partnered with MPB.

I buy a lot of used gear, especially lenses. I’ve never believed you need to buy everything brand new to produce professional work. I’d rather invest wisely, save money where I can, and put those savings back into growing my business.

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The other side of the equation is just as important.

Most photographers have gear sitting on a shelf that hasn’t been touched in months. Selling that equipment through MPB can free up money for the gear you’ll actually use. On average, photographers are getting around $900 when they sell through MPB. That’s real money you can reinvest into your business.

The goal isn’t to own more cameras.

The goal is to own the right cameras and lenses for the work you want to be known for.

That’s how professionals think.

Less clutter.

More intentional upgrades.

More money focused on building a career instead of filling a camera bag.

If you’re serious about making a living with your camera, MPB is one of the smartest resources I can recommend.

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