From Office Chair to Behind the Camera | How Ted Became My Partner in Family Photography

Behind the Editing Desk

For a long time, Ted’s role in my photography business looked pretty simple. He sat in the leather chair behind me while I edited.

That chair has seen a lot.

While I worked, I would spin my screen around and quiz him. “What’s wrong with this image?” I’d ask. Sometimes it was a tree that appeared to be growing out of someone’s head or an awkward hand placement. Sometimes it was something small that most people wouldn’t notice, but that would elevate a photograph if it were fixed. While I gabbed away (and if you know me, gabbing is one of my superpowers), he just sat there quietly, listening and absorbing.

At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I was just talking out loud, teaching as I went, doing what photographers do when they go through hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of images all day long.

Then came the moment of discovery. It was December 2017, a snowy New Year’s Eve wedding in Cleveland, Ohio, about an hour from home. With the slippery roads, there was absolutely no way I could drive myself. Luckily, Ted chauffeured me. And anyone who knows me knows I don’t love driving in snow, so he never would have let me handle that alone. (A gentleman, through and through!)

The venue had an upper balcony, and I decided to hand him my backup camera. I set it up, dialed in the right settings, and told him to “stand directly in the middle of the balcony and photograph the ceremony from above.”

On the drive home, I passed the time scrolling through the images we had captured. When I grabbed his camera and started flipping through the pictures, I just stared at the back of the camera with my mouth wide open… I was completely blown away! I could not believe what I was seeing.

HE DID NOT STAND IN THE MIDDLE!!

He moved, shifted, shot from the sides, and through foliage. He layered images in ways I had never explicitly taught him, but had casually talked about during those editing sessions at my desk. He had taken everything I had shared and applied it instinctively, confidently, and beautifully.

That was the moment everything changed.

On To Family Sessions

At that point, Ted was already coming with me to family sessions. He always drove so he could help load and unload our props: the chairs, stools and couches we bring for client set ups. He was already helping, even if neither of us had labeled it that way yet.

After that wedding, I had a thought. What if I just gave him a camera?

So I did.

So, at family sessions, Ted started taking alternate angles while I focused on the posed images. Half the time I didn’t even know where he was. I’d be photographing grandparents and babies, and somewhere behind me he’d be quietly catching candid moments, interactions, and expressions. Over and over again, his images became client favorites. Those photos rounded out our clients’ galleries in the most beautiful way; they were a perfect blend of posed and candid images.

Today, Ted does so much more than people realize. He hauls props. He sets them up. He tests light. He talks to dads and kids, and stands in place so I can check the light before I lift my camera (NOTE: side benefit for me…I get to tell him what to do and he listens. Ha ha!). We have a built-in rhythm and pace because we know each other so well. One of us can be doing one thing while the other is doing something completely different, and it all works seamlessly.

And here’s something most people don’t expect me to say. I get nervous before shoots (yep, it’s true!) Sometimes while driving to the session location, I’ll let out a big sigh without even realizing it. Every single time, Ted reaches over and grabs my hand, instantly calming my nerves. He reminds me that I’m not doing this alone.

My Partner in Life and Photography

I wanted to put this into words because I’m proud; proud of him and proud of the partnership we’ve built in life and in business. This is my way of honoring someone who shows up for me quietly, consistently, and wholeheartedly.

If you know Ted, this will make you smile, but if you don’t, I hope this gives you a little glimpse into who he is and why working together is one of the greatest gifts of my career.

And lastly, the BEST image of all! 😉  I love you always and forever.

Thanks for reading, friends!  Blessings  ~ Pam