Whatever the experience of a portrait photographer, no matter how many shoots a photographer did, he is ever exiceted before each new one. After all, a million stories live in any person - will it be possible to tell one of them so that the viewer does not get bored?
When one lady called me with a request to shoot her dolls, I, frankly, got really agitated. It was not about portraits this time, but a kind of object photography. But professional pride forced me to take on the project.
And here we were in the studio, and for the first time I was left alone with the dolls. It immediately becomes clear that I did a right choice to agree for a shoot: in front of me there were 4 completely different personalities, with their own characters, tastes, requiring an individual approach. What is most interesting, I did not supervise the shooting, but they did. Each of them managed the ideal lighting to suit every of them, in what order they are ready to appear in front of the camera, etc. In general, they behaved like people.
I would leave accidentally (but this is not accurate!) one doll in the middle of the studio, while I was adjusting the light, and it turned out a second later that she already was looking in the mirror and straightening her skirt - a coquette!
The second one, the detached, clearly dictated locations and best angles to me. It was a bit uneasy and scary to be next to her, let alone to take her in your hands – it made me want to ask for permission...
With the third one, everything was clear: ‘Pleased to meet you! I am the Queen!’ She would know her own worth and was in no hurry. Condescendingly watched my bustle.
Well, the fourth one is a true man. Where to move? Where to look? Clearly performs the tasks assigned to him. Without many words. It is understandable - a warrior.
