Digital: The Fast Lane of Photography

Now, with the Photoshop’s digital paintbrush, I can digitally enhance my husband’s photographs and create the art I always dreamed of creating. I do more than touch up scraped knees and acne. I do all-over softening and blending, and I add my own color to black-and-white photos. Sometimes I use a computerized pen. People say once you use this pen, using a mouse seems like navigating with a potato, and it’s true. I also use various software programs to assemble photo albums and for other aspects of the process, like billing.

Did I mention we get paid for having all this fun?

Some naysayers believe portrait photographers are in big trouble, because ordinary consumers, namely parents, can buy digital cameras and enhancing software and not need the services of a professional.

To me, that’s like saying because consumers can buy their own paint and canvas, they will create their own oil paintings. I don’t think so. Some parents will be satisfied with their snapshots, but most will also want professionally taken portraits.

There is more to photographing children and making a living at it than saying, “Say cheese!” We take a parent’s favorite photo and convert it to look like a Degas painting they would have to examine closely to see the difference. We have also put photo images on stone tiles and tapestry. What will our artistic minds come up with in another five years?

Some feel it is dehumanizing to let computers help out our creative genius. I think it just lets the creative juices flow faster.

So has technology made it easier for Tony and me to work together given our different personalities? Well, no. We still butt antlers a lot. Technology has opened new doors for those of us with latent artistic abilities. The increased competition has pushed us in new directions like nothing else.

I am confident we can survive in the fast new world of professional photography. I like to say Tony is the Michelangelo of children’s photography, and we have many satisfied customers who agree. He can bring out a child’s personality and accentuate a child’s best features no matter what the child’s age or mood.

For me, the digital age has given me a chance at a life filled with creativity. I had no idea I would ever get this chance, and as intimidating as technology can be, I’m grateful.