Do you get frustrated with non photography friends/family?

[candidrachel]

To me photography is about capturing life as corny as that sounds so whenever we go to a theme park, family farm, out for a family walk or even just visiting friends the camera comes too. Well on Sunday my mother in law took my family to Conkers which is an Adventure and Discovery park and she asked me why I bother bringing the camera at all. She was baffled and said I should leave it at home and just enjoy the day with my children. Also, as soon as I put camera to eye she kept walking into my shots. I'm sure she was deliberately trying to wind me up. I just got so annoyed and each time I did take a shot I turned round and everyone else was 20 paces ahead and that caused rows too.

Grrrr some people just don't get it and I'm really trying to get over the "snapshot" element to my photos.

ps She is trying to set up a Greetings Card business so every now and again she asks me if she can have a few to use.

[CurlyCorry]

She sounds jealous of your passion to me. I'd be ready with a nice snarky comment for her when she asks for images for her greeting cards.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by CurlyCorry

She sounds jealous of your passion to me. I'd be ready with a nice snarky comment for her when she asks for images for her greeting cards.

To me, that would just keep the rows going. (I love that word btw). I would put yourself in her shoes, and try to find some way to reciprocate with her. You have something she wants, and you have a way to gain some exposure. I think you have the opportunity to build some rapport with your MIL, instead of just focusing on her being mean. After all, you only have one family.

[edzaffino]

this is the question that I ask myself when on a family outing: is my photo shooting interfering with the others' enjoying the day? ie, are you asking them to pose, smile, don't smile, look at the camera, don't look at the camera, etc. If not, then your mum in law should go about her business. Sometimes my family gets way ahead of me while I try to get a shot, but that is okay. You shouldn't expect them to wait for you while you frame a shot. To keep MIL from blocking shots, make a point of taking several extreme close ups of her and show them to her. She'll stay clear of the camera for fear you'll get another shot of her smile lines and crows feet.

[Jim Bryant]

Ha, they normally get frustrated with me taking pictures.

[MeAgain]

Originally Posted by RLucas

To me, that would just keep the rows going. (I love that word btw). I would put yourself in her shoes, and try to find some way to reciprocate with her. You have something she wants, and you have a way to gain some exposure. I think you have the opportunity to build some rapport with your MIL, instead of just focusing on her being mean. After all, you only have one family.

This guy is really smart.

I have some of the same issues when I bring my camera along on family functions. Only it’s with my husband. I simply let it go and go at my own pace. When the husband asks me "Why can't you keep up?" I ask "Why do you keep walking away from me" Then I smile sweetly and take his photo.

It's why my husband tends to look pissed off in most of my shots. I'm sure to post those on Facebook and tag him. When he gets tired of looking mad all the time maybe he'll reconsider walking off.

But then I'm a tad passive-aggressive so this may not be the best way to go.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

Grrrr some people just don't get it

I'll share a recent experience I had that sort of changed my perspective on this. Earlier this month my family went to Disney for a few days. I brought my camera gear, lugging it around through all the parks, character meals, etc.

I carried my gripped 5D, heavy 24-70L, 580EX flash, and various extra lenses in my backpack. It was 95 degrees every day. Carrying all that gear around for countless hours was physically exhausting. Constantly worrying about it and jostling through crowds with it was mentally exhausting. It wasn't long before I was looking longingly at folks toting little point and shoots.

Now all of the images I got were better than what a P&S could produce. My images were better than what the Disney PhotoPass employes can produce. You know what? My family doesn't care. With the exception of my wife, my family isn't visually sophisticated enough to give a damn. They just want a record of the event. And it's not like I'm getting portfolio material out of it.

While I was physically there with them, I was sort of removed from the actual experiences since I always had my eye in the viewfinder. I love photography, and I work on my photography as much as I can. But sometimes you should just put down the gear and enjoy the fun with your family.

Next time I'm leaving all my stuff at home, taking a Canon G12 or something, and just running amok with my daughter. Your mileage may vary.

[MrJones]

sorry to be the devil's advocate here but someone has to
think of the your mother in law perspective with you shoving your camera in the family face.
here is what she told me:
"every where we go.. there she comes with her camera! can't you just have a nice time without worrying about how you look every second for every picture?
I couldn't grab a bite all day cause I was too afraid to look awful at her photos!
she took so many photos! in some of them you see my back cause I was just crossing but she never stopped.. not to mention the faces she gave me for getting in her photos by accident..
what a day! "

I'm kidding here of course but there is something true about it.
like Rantham, I've figured out that sometime.. a pocket camera will do just as good and won't get in the way as much.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

Well on Sunday my mother in law took my family to Conkers which is an Adventure and Discovery park and she asked me why I bother bringing the camera at all. She was baffled and said I should leave it at home and just enjoy the day with my children.

When you say she took you, does that mean she paid for you to go? If it was a gift, I say you should accept the conditions that come with it, or pay for yourself. She may not understand, but if you're there on her dime than you need to appreciate the fact that she wants you to enjoy the gift she's giving you and not making it secondary to what you really wanted to be doing.

[dlambert]

Originally Posted by Rentham

While I was physically there with them, I was sort of removed from the actual experiences since I always had my eye in the viewfinder.

+++


It's tough to do two things at once. Whenever I'm anywhere "doing" anything with someone else, it's really tough to squeeze any decent photos in at the same time. I always feel like I'm getting in the way, and I still don't have quite as much time as I'd like for the photography itself.

If I'm carrying my camera, I try to be aware of whether it's my top priority. I'm not sure it's always possible to strike a healthy balance, but it helps to keep things in perspective.