You ever have one of those weeks where, by the time you sit down to catch your breath, you can’t quite remember what you’ve just done? One of those slightly chaotic, blink-and-you-miss-it weeks where you’re not entirely sure what day it is, but you’re pretty certain you’ve had too much coffee and not enough sleep? Yeah, that.
First up, Friday was a wedding – beautiful people, a bit of chaos, a lot of love, and enough confetti to clog a vacuum cleaner. Now, just to be clear, I am a portrait photographer – that’s my thing – but weddings sneak onto the calendar now and then. And honestly, they’re not so different. Portraits, but with more hugging, a bit more champagne, and the occasional dance floor catastrophe. It’s about capturing people in the middle of one of the best days of their lives – the love, the hugs, the tears, and those slightly tipsy, rambling speeches. What’s not to love?
Back late, cards backed up, batteries on charge, and then – bliss – a few days off for the bank holiday. Devon with the in-laws. Sunshine, sea, a few too many chips, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve dodged the worst of the traffic – like winning a small, petrol-scented lottery. There’s something about the sea air that clears your head, and a pint of local ale that makes you wonder why you ever bother going back to work. I needed that.
Back to it on Tuesday – filming day. Always a laugh when it’s me, Sarah, Katie, and Abbie, wrestling lights and tripods and trying not to trip over each other. Filming days are a bit like a live-action comedy sketch – all laughter, occasional swearing, and a steady flow of coffee. The footage is all captured, which means a mountain of edits is now glaring at me from my to-do list like a disapproving headmaster.
Then a couple of portrait reveals, which always remind me why I love this job – those moments when clients see their images for the first time, often with a tear or two and a little disbelief at just how good they look. (It’s not just the lighting, honest – though it definitely helps. That, and making sure you’ve told them to lift their chin about 30 times during the session.)
Wednesday? Dashing into London for the Barclays Bank AGM, where I got to spend the evening with Harriet – our daughter – and it turns out the best way to recover from a corporate shoot is a pizza, a margarita (or two), and a lot of laughter with your grown-up kid. It’s moments like those when you realise being a dad is, without doubt, the best job title you’ll ever have.
Thursday, a new client meeting, scampering around their vast office, planning an upcoming portrait series – each image with a different background, each person with their own story. More laughter, a little problem-solving, and some seriously good coffee. It’s a good job I’m not into hot desking, or I’d never know where to hang my coat.
Then it was back to the studio for a few more shoots, a wedding pitch (we won it), and then head down to plan next week’s bootcamp. Two full days of nothing but portrait photography – all the posing, lighting, and creative chaos you can cram into 48 hours. I can’t wait.
And as I sit here typing this, I couldn’t be further from the physical world – head full of edits, battery levels, and to-do lists – but in a few hours, I’ll be back with a family, a camera, and a big grin. The physical world, where all the good stuff happens.
Right. Time to find my shoes and until next time, be kind to yourself!