If a tree falls in the forest and no photographer is there to capture it, does it make the cover of Vogue? Nope. So how many potential magazine covers have you missed? How many shots do you have in your portfolio that were near misses? How many fleeting moments that had you not been prepared, would have slipped away? If you’re like me you probably have more than a few. 

This is because I try to look for the moments in between or just after my main capture. While a model is having their hair fixed on set or while chatting with a subject during a portrait session can be great times to grab a candid second. These fractions of a second can offer emotions and poses that would be hard to reproduce.  That is what I love about photography; the fact that life is passing by so rapidly and we can capture it in fractions of a second. However, while this transitory characteristic is what makes photography so unique it is also what makes photography uniquely difficult. 

This first image was from a portrait session for a magazine article. While we were talking during the session she just happened to give me this genuine laugh. While I was talking with her I made sure I continued looking through the camera so that I didn’t miss anything. 

This second image is from a beauty shoot. While the model was on set the styling team wanted to try to push the hair around a bit to see what they liked.  I like to capture images while this is going on while I can. This image shows why I do that.

When this little boy rode his scooter up to me I had originally been shooting someone to the other side of the playground. I spun the light around to him and when he stopped I stuck my tongue out at him… he followed suit. The resulting image has an attitude in it that I don’t think I could have gotten out of him again.

Not only is it important to not let your guard down while shooting but it is also great to be comfortable enough with your equipment to make quick moves and know what your gear can do. Being ready is more about quick on the trigger button but also has to do with anticipation. Realizing in the situation what you think would make a great photo then waiting for it to unfold. 

It can though take a bit of coaxing to “suggest” a candid moment. I used to tell children that they had something on their feet to get them to look down because I love the calm moment of them gazing down. Or I would say “shhh do you here something?” because I love the look of a child in heavy contemplation or with a bit of concern on their face. These little things will help you create feelings that work with what you want to see. 

So remember, don’t sweat the small stuff, but don’t forget to photograph it!

As always I welcome questions and comments at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .