playtime

Photography is a pretty demanding way to earn your keep through this life—just ask anyone who’s passionate about it and in the biz.   The hours are long in pursuit of the perfect image that just makes you burst into tears or laughter or both simultaneously!    Back and eye strain help to keep Advil and Lens Crafters in business.   And hours spent holed away processing images and managing the business can take their toll.

So every once in a while photographers get together to remind each other that photography is also one of the most rewarding ways to make your mark on this life.   They share a drink and talk equipment and strategies and tips.  They crack each other up and try their hardest to avoid being photographed by each other all evening.  They make people promise not to tag them in photos, knowing it will happen anyway.  As comfortable as they are behind the lens—it’s an exactly opposite feeling when they are asked to be in front of the lens. 

(i would love to get my 3 boys one of these bikes!!!  I can so see them starting up a neighborhood delivery service!)

(when you look this good crossing the street you better believe your picture is going to be taken!)

As photographers, we all obliged for a few photos here and there, good practice to help us remember what we put you all through when we prod you into position for what must feel like an eternity at times!  Kind of like doctors being forced to submit to exams as part of their training!  We oblige those few photos with an itchy shutter finger the whole time, wondering how soon it’ll be before we can be back behind the lens to catch what we must be missing!

This photographer’s meet up was organized by the fabulous Sandy Wagerman of Lucky Ladybug Photography.   She put out the all call to meet up in downtown Frederick and we gathered ready to lock on to all the beauty this day offered us.

We headed out to the downtown area to traipse after a gorgeous high school senior, Lindsey, who graciously agreed to model for us for the evening.    Yes, we looked exactly like paparazzi and I imagine Lindsey must have felt like a star while we all jockeyed for position to photograph her! 

(some downtown residents who enjoyed watching our whole production and then enjoyed their moment in the spotlight!)

For one photographer the night was a family affair.  His wife and little boy followed along after us so how could i resist this adorable little guy!!! He was such a trooper all night–never complained once!

(my brother actually got his head stuck in rails like this when we were little—my mom had to call the fire department to get him out!)

(moments like this one—that’s why i became a photographer!  every mother should have this kind of moment preserved of themselves with their children!)

We swapped stories and equipment.  We challenged each other and encouraged each other in this pursuit to make a mark that matters on people’s lives.  We reveled in being able to shoot for an evening in about the lowest stress situation out there! 

So here’s to a great night with photographers who challenge me to improve my craft and take cover when the storm begins!!!