My family is all pretty used to a camera being shoved in their faces across cities, countries, continents. I don’t know if they enjoy it but they’re certainly used to it. It was standard operating procedure that I’d show up to any family event with a camera and flash contraption. My brother would always be the first one to blow it. Sky high. As in bunny ears and making faces. I still don’t know if he has fully accepted it. However, beyond that, everyone else was pretty compliant. They knew to continue what they were doing when I was framing it up through my viewfinder. I may have asked them to do something again but they got the memo pretty fast not to bother me and I wouldn’t bother them. Unless we were eating. Then it was every man for himself.
So, that’s pretty much it. I still do it, I go from family function to family function hauling my ax everywhere I go. All that’s changed is I now have a close, professional relationship with several acupuncturists and chiropractors to deal with the searing physical sports injuries which come from being this type of camera jockey. Not unlike a jockey, you ride the event like it’s a horse, and you know when the race is over because everything stops. Then, you pack up your gear with the social contract to return the Tupperware you are given, and go home until the next one. In between you develop the film and make some prints. Lather, rinse repeat.
Inspired by the work of Tina Barney. So, thanks to Tina and her beautiful work.