Photo Tip of the Day: Grab a Grab Shot

One of the best tips I've been given is to never leave a shoot without taking at least ONE random, artistic, hurried, "grab" shot of something other than what you were hired to shoot.

If it's a portrait session, this means taking a picture of the lone yellow daffodil blowing in the wind beside your car in an empty parking lot. I grabbed this shot right after a family portrait session last week while I was putting my gear into the trunk of my car. No light testing, no reflectors, no color balancing, no calculated framing or composition, no photoshop... just a quick press of the shutter button. That's all.

Frequently these grab shots won't amount to much more than filler in your Lightroom catalog, but I can often use the colorful ones in abstract, unexpected ways that surprise and delight my clients. I often use flower photos like these to mat individual portraits or add a little artistic flair to a textured wall... usually the client will say something like, "Oh, I'm so glad you captured that beautiful flower on film... I noticed it as I was leaving, but just didn't have the time to stop and look at it!"

Honestly, as a photographer, you have the rare opportunity to stop time, if only for a moment, and the one spontaneous image you grab could just be the one your client will remember forever.

This particular photo will be used as a background image to enhance an amazing set of eyes, but I also kind of like it all by itself.... Funny how that happens, eh? :)

© Leia Jobe 2011