Stop looking at the surface

I was doing a photo shoot a couple of weekends ago. It was a portrait session for a young woman who wanted photos for her portfolio. For my protection more than hers, I suggested she bring a friend as an escort. She brought her mother.

Can you imagine how awkward that is? Maybe yes, maybe no. Imagine that you're male working with a young woman who is scantily clad and mom is looking over your shoulder as you tell her to give you a sexy look. Yeah. Extremely awkward. Could it get any more so? Well, just read on.

I had access to a friend's studio, so I did a portion of the shoot in the studio. While I was shooting, I had my ipod playing for background music. I think the music let me forget that mom was sitting nearby watching as I photographed her daughter. With the ipod on shuffle, a song with very objectionable lyrics started playing. Think Ying Yang twins.

As I quickly set down my camera and toggled the ipod to the next song, I said, "Let's skip this song." Nope, it could get more awkward. The young woman laughed and said, "I didn't think you listened to that type of music." Then we went back to finishing the indoor part of the shoot.

For the rest of the day, I was a bit miffed. Do I give off the aura that I am too straight laced? Is this what women I'm interested in see of me? Do I come off as a prissy, bow-tied accountant?

Damn it all if that is the case. How little these shallow women know me if they think that is the way I feel! While I'm working with a model, I want my reputation to be irreproachable and professional. The purpose of all this is to make the person in front of the camera comfortable.

I don't want to be the photographer who gets a girl to come in for a photo shoot and then try to get in her pants. Even if I have to take a cold shower after the shoot because that is exactly what I'd like to do. More importantly, I want to come off as honest and straight forward to each person I meet because that is who I am.

Yet, somehow, I have the will to restrain that desire. I can restrain myself because of the negative reinforcement I receive when I do show my interest to attractive women. Also in part, my restraint arises from the fact that I am seeking below the surface for more than merely a pretty face. Perhaps these women should too. Is that too much to ask?