I’ve already discussed how my job makes me feel creepy because it’s good to take interest in the way romance plays out in the real world. But there’s more. I have always had a strange sort of photographic memory (pun not intended). If I’ve taken your photo, ever, I remember your face. I remember that I’ve taken a photo looks. I remember what that photo looked like and the expression you were making. But I often will have no recollection of the context, when or where the event was taken. The problem comes from what happens when you’ve taken photos of literally tens of thousands of people — for years I couldn’t walk around the Columbia University area without constant bouts of deja vu as people walked by me.
And, of course, the creepiness. I was in a coffeeshop waiting for the couple for today’s engagement shoot, and I sat next to a young woman. My brow furrowed. Do I say it?
“There’s really no way for this not to sound terrible, but I’ve taken your picture somewhere. Did you go to Columbia?”
No, it turned out, but she was in Rebekah and Jonah’s Korean/Jewish extravaganza.
So how does it pay to be creepy, other than remembering a great day (that has an album coming up soon)? This sort of memory has always been a huge advantage for me as an event photographer. I like to try to get photos of as many guests as possible, and even in gigantic events I can always remember at a glance which guests I’ve gotten good photos of and which I haven’t, giving clients as robust coverage as possible. So I guess I’ll have to live with the deja vu.
It also says something interesting about the profound cognitive effect the process of taking photos and reviewing them can have, at least for me, since I do not have a particularly good memory for your face if I haven’t taken your photo.
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Kat Braman - What a great photo! You captured such a real and contagious smile.
Kyle - That is a great talent to have. I wish I could remember who I’ve photographed and who I haven’t, as I’ve taken your advice on trying to get photographs of every guest to heart.
Johann - It also comes in handy when it pertains to copyright laws.
Brandon Irons - I’m sincerely impressed that you’re able to remember someone from a past wedding you shot, especially considering the amount weddings that you shoot each year.
camille - I was just talking to some friends of mine about that same thing a few weeks ago. I used to cover live band shows, and every time I go to the mall I walk around looking at people (because I just love people!) and I will recognize everyone I took pictures of at some of those events.
tingzhou53@gmail.com - you must have hippocampi the size of a young shwartzenegger’s arms!
Ryan Brenizer - Haha that I might.