Trust Me

I read a lot of blogs. True, most are photographer’s blogs and a majority of the post is visual. But every now and then, the artist trades their camera for a keyboard and writes. I find the writing is usually just as good as the photography. Great photographers, I have come to know, are excellent observers. The same can be said for great writers. Coincidence? Probably not.

This particular photographer was writing about the sushi joint she and her husband frequent in southern California. It’s located in a tiny strip mall 30 miles from their home, the neighborhood is more than sketchy, and they probably pass twenty other sushi places on the way to this one, but they make the journey because it’s THAT GOOD. The interior of the restaurant is nothing to speak of, and the only decorative item is a sign above the sushi bar where Katsu, the chef, prepares his magic dishes. It simply states this: “Trust Me”.

She likens Katsu to Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi” – there are no menus, no run of the mill offerings, everything is done his way. You eat what he serves you or nothing at all. But the place is always buzzing, people always wait for their turn at the bar, and no one leaves with an empty stomach.

What does a sushi bar have to do with photography? Well, like good writing or good food, good photography is an art. The artist has a vision for that perfect image (or perfect paragraph, or perfect dish) and all we want is for our clients (or readers, or diners) to trust that vision. But that request for trust is often unspoken and when we don’t have the courage to hang the sign above our heads, we end up compromising.

Over the past few months, I have pondered the fine line that photographers who choose to serve the public have to walk. We are contracted by our clients to take photographs of their wedding, their family or their beloved pets and therefore have an obligation to give them what they want. But as artists, we are also looking to capture images that deeply fulfill us and make our creative soul sing.

The blog writer summarizes her post with this: “As photographers, we do our best work when we are given total trust from our clients. But how many of us are asking for it?  Do you have the guts to be like Katsu and ask “TRUST ME?” I do. And, admittedly, not all clients honor my request; some clients take a look at the proverbial “menu” and walk out of my “sushi bar.” But you can bet that the clients who take a chance – who let me do my thing – leave very, very full.”

So this year, I’m going to work towards finding those clients – the ones who will place their trust in me, step back and allow me to do what I do best. I invite you to come and preview the menu I have to offer. And I hope beyond all hope that you choose me to illustrate your life, and that we both walk away with a fullness that satisfies our hunger.

To read the photographer’s blog post for yourself, please visit her post at:  http://cheninboutwell.com/stuffforphotographers/photography-omakase-style.html