A friend asks you to take baby photos then says they like the style of Anne Geddes!

Keith

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
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A very good friend, who became a father for the first time three weeks ago, asked today if I could take some photos of the baby for him and his wife ... then mentioned that they really like the style of Anne Geddes and could I do something along those lines. :eek:

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the cheesy work that she does so I've included an example below ... you get the idea I'm sure! :D

I was quite frank with him and said (nicely) ... "Personally I find her work unappealing and chintzy but I'll do whatever you want!"


I'm curious ... who else here has been placed in a position where you have to trample all over your own photographic ethics to please a very good friend? :p


geddes129.jpg
 
Her work and that the many copiers makes me want to vomit. If I ever see another photo of a baby resting its chin on its hands wearing a stilly hat, or jammed in a barrel I may have some sort of episode.

I would say no. The poses look unnatural and will date very quickly. Not that I could take a decent posed people photo to save my life!
 
I am very curious what kind of vegetable will you use, as I am not sure that you will be able to get pumpkins down there in this part of the year.
 
As far as studio shots of babies are concerned, her work is less cliche more decent than most. Perhaps surrender to the idea that your own photographic style is not appropriate in this situation. And as far as work goes, regardless of how much a shoot has your personal touch or not it's more important to please the client.
 
Keith said:
I was quite frank with him and said (nicely) ... "Personally I find her work unappealing and chintzy but I'll do whatever you want!"
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I would do the same.

I find myself in that situation everyday when my girlfriend needs a photo of the two of us taken so she has "cute" pictures for her facebook updates. Arm's length, look up, chin down, and ridiculous faces. Resistant is futile.
 
Looks like a cannibal's food photography to me. Perhaps I should start a career in crime scene wedding documentation photography or formal riot portraits.
 
Ah lighten up, guys. The woman has been phenomenally successful doing what she does. You sound like sour grapes.

Say you're a professional chef, trained in France, what have you, and a friend says my favorite food is Jell-O, could you make some for my birthday? Of course you would, and make it the best and most inventive bowl of Jell-O she's ever had.

I'd take it as a challenge. Put an Aussie twist on it, probably. I suppose you could find some local flora that's a little less generic than those sunflowers.
 
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As a matter of interest this person has always been there when I've needed him and I would probably rate him as the closest male friend I've had in my life. He has bailed me out emotionally at some of my low points over the last few years.

You're a cold lot at times! :p
 
There should be software plugin, taking as input baby.jpg, accessory.jpg and vegetable.jpg and providing any of preset outputs you choose in preview window :)

Another option would be to hire Mrs. Geddes ;)
 
Keith said:
As a matter of interest this person has always been there when I've needed him and I would probably rate him as the closest male friend I've had in my life. He has bailed me out emotionally at some of my low points over the last few years.

You're a cold lot at times! :p
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Then you know, man up and get the pumpkin for them. You were honest about what you think, which is important, and I am sure your friend will appreciate that. Now act cute and make his wife happy.
 
**** it. Say its not your cup of tea, but do it anyway. Look at them as a client. Try to convince them in another direction, but if they really want that, do it. Do the shots they want and then you say "I have another idea as well, could we try it out?". Do the shots you would have done if no strings attached, and hope that they will use them instead when they see them done. In the end your friend will be happy, and thats what matters right?
 
Keith, just get a kangaroo and put the baby in the pouch. Add a backdrop, some good lighting and you're golden.
 
hteasley said:
What part of her style does he like particularly? They're not *all* kids in flowerpots or bunny suits. I always thought this one was good.
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Exactly Harry .... I don't think he's looking for babies in flowerpots or tulips, just the very staged cute thing.

Each to their own and if you're going to be a photographer in your own mind you have to expect these types of requests IMO. I don't find his wishes horribly offensive to my sensibilities ... but I was curious to hear how others felt.
 
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