Feeling like a beloved rookie

As inspiring as the concept of Beloved can be,  getting ready to shoot my first beloved session struck fear into my very soul!

Let me assure you that I have 100% confidence in my technical skills and my people skills.  I don’t usually get nervous for a photo session since I know I’m going to get great shots unless something wildly out of my control happens.

But shooting a beloved session for the first time put those nerves right back in place!

I think my heart started really pounding early that morning and didn’t really settle down until the session actually was well underway.

Why would I be so nervous for something so amazing?

A Beloved session is far from the traditional approach to photography (even for me and my love of lifestyle images).  I would say that for the best experience, it really requires a deep amount of trust.

If I expect my subjects to open themselves up to some very personal emotions, it isn’t going to happen just from me asking a serious question.  They really do have to trust me and the moment needs to be prepared for.

Jesh advised to first seek out some subjects who you already had a level of trust with.

Daniel and Sarah are two of my best friends in the whole wide world.  Our friendship was built upon some amazing experiences together that sort of bond you for life.  I could feel safe with them.  And I knew that they would trust me.

Thankfully, they said yes to my unusual request!


 

What happened during that hour and a half was amazing.  For the spiritual readers out there, I would state that this type of session most certainly bears the fruits of the Spirit.  And how can you not succeed when you are working with that type of team?

For those who have asked, I think the Beloved approach is absolutely adaptable for all types of sessions (family, solo, maternity, etc.).  I’ve even used a few of the concepts in some commercial work I’ve been doing and have had delightful results.

Thank you to Daniel and Sarah for being my first beloved session!  I love you both so much!  Working with the two of you gave me the confidence and experience I needed to be able to share this experience with so many others!


Brooke Snow is a Lifestyle photographer in Cache Valley, Utah.  She thrives off of finding meaning in life and in her work.  Whats the use of doing something if it doesn’t bring joy?  If it doesn’t make our life better or enrich the life of someone else?  She lives passionately and has very little patience for superficialities.  Life is meant to be full of happiness.  We just have to find it.

Brooke teaches inspiring online photography classes that bring you confidence in your skills and creativity.

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16 Responses

  1. I read your first post on Beloved and I’m really intrigued. I still need to listen to the 2-hour introductory session, but I’m definitely interested. Unfortunately, I can’t find many specifics on this… I like the results but would love to hear more about the process!

  2. Gorgeous images, Brooke. You can totally see the love! The results of a beloved session are so different from any other. I love the idea, and I am so grateful you introduced it in your advanced pro class. It has stayed with me. Love what you’re doing!! 🙂

  3. We love these images SO much! They are authentically US, and looking at each one brings back a flood of wonderful memories. Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, we were nervous that day, too. 🙂 But you had us relaxed and laughing within minutes. Love you!

    Go Team Beloved!

  4. Beautiful images, as always, Brooke!! I would love to do a session like this with my hubby. Would love to know more about the Beloved class, as well. Just might have to sign up for Advanced Pro (though I’m far from that!) next time around, not only to learn about that, but to learn more about your amazing talent, as well!!

    1. Kate! Thank you! A beloved session is an amazing experience! I’ll be blogging about my own experience of being the subjects of a beloved session soon! And we’d love to have you join us in the ADvanced Pro class! (Beloved class likely won’t be released till early 2012 🙂 )

  5. So you intrigued me so much with your images that I had to seek more out, and after doing more reading I’ve signed up for the Beloved web seminar. With only a week left in the window to view the video series, I have to do quite the crash course, but even in just the “preview” video I am already seeing so much value. I’m so excited to see where this takes me. I’m just starting my journey as a photographer, but I would love to begin with these concepts now, since in my few sessions already I saw weaknesses with traditional “posing” as I had seen it done before. I can’t wait to find out more; I only wish I could attend the workshop in LA.

    1. Wahoo! Sara that is great! I’m really excited for you! You’re going to love the webseminar! Keep me posted on what you think!

  6. Okay, so you already had beautiful connections and realism in your captures, but this has definitely upped it! (and, it’s a great testimonial for Beloved)

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