Ten years ago I used to show up to every session with a shot list. Chin here. Eyes there. Smile bigger. The photos were technically fine and emotionally empty.
The shift happened during a family session in 2016. I ran out of poses and just started talking to the kids about Minecraft. Their parents relaxed. Everyone forgot I was there. I shot 40 frames in 8 minutes and every single one was alive.
Now I arrive with nothing scripted. I have a conversation, I wait, and I photograph what happens when people stop performing.
