The most frustrating thing for me when it comes to photography is dealing with models. Sometimes they cancel unexpectedly, or worse-don’t show up at all with no explanation leaving you subject-less at the last minute. However, typically you can find another one, because you are using them to showcase something else in the image, whether it’s a product, a lifestyle, or a mood. For documentary work I have come to realize that this is very different.
For the newborns project, an individual is being represented in your work. Each individual has a story, and once you become invested into their unique story, it’s extremely hard to simply “find someone else” when things don’t work out. In this situation the subject is not merely replaceable.
Though my subject has not abandoned my project, and is a super great person, I have still faced the difficulties that come with relying on a stranger to create a body of work. I don’t think the subjects truly understand what is needed to create a strong project, even if you explain it in detail to them, and often times they begin to unknowingly sabotage the entire project. Even if you inform them of all the requirement ahead of time, they still will decide to change their minds last minute, and give you restrictions on what you are allowed to shoot and not shoot, and what photos you’re allowed to use of them in the end. I’ve also noticed the subjects tend to assume that, as photographers we want them to do certain things that they normally wouldn’t do if we weren’t there, and that’s not what we are looking for.
This class made me realize that every project has its set backs, and some you just have to deal with it and make things work with what you have. At the end of the day, no matter how bad the situation is you just have to create a memorable story.