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A day in the life of a portrait photographer

This couple came to our studio for a portrait and I just knew something special was going to happen.

She was very bossy. If you've ever seen the English TV sitcom Hyacinth Bucket, well that's exactly how she was. The real Hyacinth. Everything had to be the best and most expensive.

Eventually she fell under the spell of my irresistible wit and cracked up with laughter, and I got my shot. Actually come to think of it it was probably Magda's wit as I tend to go fairly quiet during photo-shoots.

Her dress was very expensive but didn't quite fit, which she was really annoyed about. So Magda used washing pegs on the back of the dress to make it fit, an old fashion photographers' trick.

Oh by the way the flower thing was 'Hyacinth's' idea. Credit where credit is due...

Hope the image makes you smile.

Cheers,
Paul
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Comments

David Toyne said…
Something wonderfully surreal about this. Really great stuff!
23:11
Anonymous said…
This image is magical to me for 2 reasons. First, it looks as though it was taken decades ago due to the shot setup and their attire. Second, her laugh and expression makes me want ot laugh out loud! Great work.
09:52
Anonymous said…
Paul and Madga, I love this portrait. It is interesting, funny, and emotionally compelling. I am glad you posted it, Paul.

Looking at this image has prompted me to revisit an image of mine. On November 11, 2007, I posted an article about Depth of Field in a Digital Age on my Photography and the Creative Process web site at www.wmgphotoblog.com, illustrating that article with a color photograph on which I had been working. I was ambivalent about the image from the start but included it in my post nonetheless because it was a good example to illustrate my point.

Today I posted on my site a note discussing my ambivalence.

The image you posted in "A Day in the Life . . ." is a prime example of portait photography that is ALIVE!

Thanks for sharing this picture.

Bill Gatesman
www.wmgphotoblog.com
www.wmgphoto.com
13:54
Anonymous said…
Maybe they didn't get what they thought they wanted, but I hope they got what they needed. I hope they treasure the portrait for the exuberance and pleasure you captured, instead of some "perfect" boring pose they might have been imagining.

Your portrait not only makes me smile, it makes me tear up a little.
15:47
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