On Tuesday I photographed a pregnant woman.
This may sound quite unremarkable really since I am a photographer and I have photographed pregnant women in the past.
It was a job that I would have passed on to Jo under any other circumstance, because I have been wanting to focus on the needs of my current clients before I head off, and I have been steering away from portraits.
The woman wanted me to do it, and was quite certain about that. Not as a reflection on Jo, but because her friend from Wales said that she should get me to do the job.
Her friend (a photographer) is coming to my talk in the UK in a couple of weeks and had done some research on me.
It was a great shoot. I wish I could share the images but the client hasn't even seen them yet. They are personal and she asked me not to put them up for people to look. I respect that completely.
What I really wanted to say is that she presented me with a challenge that took me out of where I am comfortable. She had the confidence in my ability to give me her trust. These two important things are what make what I do so exciting.
Really I just want to thank all of my clients who challenge me, and trust me, because they encourage me to always do my best.
I'm so pleased I sent my friend to you. She had a wonderful experience and is blown away with the images she got for her hubby for Father's Day, as is he. I look forward to meeting you in Coventry on your tour.
Keep the extremely inspiring work flowing.
I am the pregnant woman Johannes writes about…
This is an incredible experience in my journey of life that I felt compelled to share...
Feeling relaxed enough to allow an almost complete stranger to look down the lenses of his various cameras; long enough to capture a moment in my life that I will cherish for the rest of my days is almost miraculous and definitely magical.
My friend Ross Grieve (also a photographer now based in Wales) had strongly recommended Johan because he had studied his results with keenness. The feeling I got from Ross was that he was impressed by Johannes’s creativity and innate ability to produce captivating yet creatively simplistic shots, inspirational even to a photographer.
I am controlling by nature and someone who believes strongly in fate and meant to be so for reasons beyond my knowledge, I knew when I met Johannes that it was in my best interest to give him total creative freedom during the shoot. My first impression after meeting was one of nervous anticipation crossed with absolute relief.
A genuine, caring and trustworthy guy with a strong desire to bind together information, thoughts and feelings, delivering a magical photo collection that would last a lifetime.
I have three gorgeous boys 8, 10 and 12 and never had the confidence to take such a brave step during past pregnancies. I have often since looked back (as many women do when it is too late) and wished I could’ve just let go. This was a huge breakthrough for me on so many levels.
For many years I have always been camera phobic and any sign of a camera NEAR me sent shivers down my spine. The exciting thing about me giving such a talented artist creative freedom, is that I get to experience an amazing outcome I never imagined possible.
From one creative being to another… Thank you