Hats are fun props that really bring out the personality of the person being photographed. My kids have a collection of hats with my daughter migrating towards the more uniquely styled types. One of her favorites happens to be a hat with big googly eyes that looks like a crab. When Tracy contacted me for updated headshots, she asked if she could bring a hat or two. Of course. Hats sometimes create a little bit of a lighting challenge so I was excited for the opportunity to work with her and her choice of hat. Plus, I knew Tracy and I would probably spend more time laughing than photographing. You see, Tracy and I go way back. Our family has known her for several years.
During one of the conversations Tracy and I had before she arrived, I learned she had been battling cancer, but was now a cancer survivor! Respectfully, I asked if we could start without a hat, just to set the lighting. Even though everything was in place upon her arrival, I still took the time to set each light individually, to tailor it to the her. Tracy is outgoing and smiley with a bubbly personality, so it didn't take long before we were giggling. I think she forgot she was not wearing a hat. We were having too much fun trying to make each other laugh.
When it seemed appropriate, I asked if she'd like to try a hat, which she did. She chose the tall blue straw hat first, so I changed the color of the background to compliment it.
For the last few shots, we switched to the fuzzy blue hat, one of her favorites.
