We danced, and danced, and danced.
One of my favorite posts to write is about all the funny stories that have happened to me during my fifty-three career as an advertising and corporate photographer. During that time I also shot a lot of Pro Bono photography for various organizations. I was always eager to help out if it could make people’s lives a little better by taking these photos either for ads , brochures, or magazine articles for the specific charities.
I was asked to shoot the Annual Report for the Salvation Army in Houston. As I tell my online class with the BPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet. The best thing you can do for yourself is to scout ahead of time. Going to a location in advance is just the ticket in taking your photos what I always refer to as “up a notch”. I call it pre-visualization, and it’s on my “did it do it list” for good composition.
One of the photos they wanted me to represent was the activities that were offered to all the people that relied on The Salvation Army for part of their daily lives. when I went to their offices they sent me to a small building where they held a dance every Friday night. Of course it was empty and fairly devoid of any useful photo opportunities; I was sort of stumped.
They wanted a photo that talked about the dance, and how so many people that didn’t have much in their lives to look forward to, came dressed up and ready to swing!
I asked my contact that was escorting me around what kind of people came to the dance and was there anyone special that came to mind. His eyes immediately lit up and said, “Of course, Josephine comes every Friday, and loves to dance.” “Great,” I said, “I’ll be back at seven the day after tomorrow. Don’t tell her anything because I don’t want to alter what she wears or does in advance.”
It was in the summer when it didn’t get dark until well after the start of the dance. I went a little early to try and find some way to light her using available light. I found the perfect room that had a large window that faced North, and as luck would have it an upright piano.
I set up and waited for Josephine, and I didn’t have to wait very long. My contact brought her into the room. I immediately fell in love…how could you not? It was the way she dressed every Friday and it could not have been more perfect; especially since I’m a sucker for women in a red dress, red dress, red dress.
We started talking and it didn’t take long for me to realize that she was very shy (believe it or not) and hesitant to be photographed. We made a deal!!! If she would let me take her portrait, I would stick around and dance with her.
So we danced, and danced, and danced…the night away. I had a great time.
Btw, after we danced she gave me a goodbye kiss, and it was sweeter than honey!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
Visit my new website at www.joebaraban.com, and check out my workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime.
JoeB
