More Than Just Photographs

In keeping with my last blog about milestones, I thought I would write one more personal to me. Last week marked a small but meaningful milestone for me—it was the ninth musical I’ve had the privilege to photograph for the theatre department at Cascade Christian High School. Over the past three years, I’ve volunteered my photography services, from photographing the final cast rehearsal the night before the first performance, helping the director choose the proper products to display scenes from the plays, to providing those images to the families. Photographing the musicals is a highlight of the school year and it's just as exciting now as it was the first time I was asked to help out.  This time though, something totally unexpected happened.

I attended the performance with my family on Friday night, which is usually the larger, "standing room only" performance. The theatre fills to about its max. While waiting for the show to start, I read through the program. I was completely surprised to find a full-page recognition for my photography business. The theatre director—who has always been so gracious—had written a very nice paragraph about me and my work which included a photo I had taken from a past show and even a link to my website. Wow! What a cool thing to see!

While sketching out the text for this blog, the impressing thought on my mind was that I’ve never coached these students on their lines or helped them in any way, other than to say, "stand there" when setting up for the group photo. In a way, I have very little interaction with them, in part because there are so many students who turn out for each play (I often embarrassingly struggle to keep track of their names), but mostly because my role is specific-- arrive for the final cast rehearsal, document the play so the actors, their parents, and their friends and families can relive each exciting scene. Hopefully, they'll even see a few expressions or actions that they missed during the performance. I look for the important action first but always try to freeze the actors' joy, intensity, passion, and the magic of their performances in a way they and their families can look back on for years to come. That said, it wouldn't totally be me without a catching a few of the unpredictable, often silly moments too. :)

Despite not being part of the teaching or directing side, I’ve come to feel a real connection to the students. When you photograph someone through a lens long enough, looking for those candid, in-between moments of authenticity, you start to see more than just performers. You see their effort, their growth, and their vulnerability. You start to feel invested in their journey. I photograph these shows with the hope of giving something meaningful back. Something that says, “This mattered. You mattered. This is proof.”

Let me end with a big thanks to the theatre director. Thank you! Your kind words and that full-page "job well done" mean more to me than you know. To the students, thank you for trusting me to capture your hard work and talent. I’m always in the wings, quietly rooting for you.

Until the next curtain call,

Rob