Why It's Good to Have a Photography Partner

Taking pictures alone is ok. Most of the time it's the way I do it. And then some of the rest of the time I take pictures while other people are waiting for me, and that's a little bit stressful, both for them and for me. And if it's anyone but Evan, usually I don't do that much. Because I don't like to keep people waiting.

But having someone else with you who is also excited about the picture is great! And I didn't really understand how great until Miguel happened to me, and we went shooting together a few times. And then it wasn't only me saying , "Just a couple more, ok?" We were both doing it. Both distracted by that cool light on that building over there. Both had to stop to take a shot of the cool car in the alleyway. Both excited to go into the Hyatt and shoot the Christmas decorations there.

And when you're with a partner, it becomes a hobby, a passion, something you're interested in. Not (what I always fear people are thinking) this weird semi-voyeuristic aberration. You feel justified in taking the picture just because it might turn out to be cool. And then again, it might not. But who cares? The next one will be even cooler.

This shot, for example, I never would have seen. I wouldn't have been walking through a neighborhood I had no particular business in, camera in hand, just looking for cool light. And the reflection of these awesome clouds on this awesome building would have been completely lost to me.

Now Miguel has flown back to Colombia, and I'm on my own again. Anyone in the SF area want to go shooting together?