Day in the life of
Photographer – Ayesha Lakes
My sessions are usually at my client’s home. I go to them, set up my lights and backdrop if necessary, for the session. Prior to the day of the session, I have a consultation with the parents so that they know what to expect and how to prepare. The parents are always right there during the session.
My typical session day
My work day can be divided into days with portrait sessions and days without. I have more days without portrait sessions than I do with portrait sessions and those days are totally different.
On a session day, I book my appointments between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the week and between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. I only book one session per day because I don’t want to rush my clients and I don’t want them to feel rushed. When dealing with children, unexpected things can happen that will throw off the timing of a session.
About 2-3 hours prior to my session, I will gather all of the equipment that I will need to take with me. As I travel to my client’s home, I have to pack up my truck with everything I will need and sometimes a little bit extra, just in case. My equipment consists of my strobe light, umbrella, light stands, backdrop and backdrop stand, camera, and any props I preselected for the session.
Once I arrive at my client’s home, I of course greet the family and have them show me the spaces in their home so I can determine the best place to photograph. If their baby is there, I will generally play with and talk to them while I am setting up. It allows them to become comfortable with me prior to the beginning of the session.
Once I’ve completed setting up, we will begin the session. If the child is still a little leery, I will keep my distance and continue to talk and play with them and make sure that their parents are close by to provide comfort. At times, we will take breaks as needed. Sometimes the baby will get hungry or just needs a little break. Depending on the age of the baby, I will move pretty quickly because they have short attention spans and it’s quite difficult working with a fussy baby. After the session is complete, I pack up my equipment, say my goodbyes and leave the premises.
Pros
Meeting new people, playing with the babies, photographing the babies, receiving hugs from the babies, holding the babies, and managing my own schedule/working when I want to work.
Cons
Fussy babies, parents who don’t follow my instructions that help ensure cooperation from the babies, carrying equipment up large flights of stairs, not having enough space to photograph, sometimes not being able to see the space I’m going to photograph in prior to the session.
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Photographers
photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
The Artist
