Every couple takes pictures; it's almost an inevitability, especially with the easy access to a camera in your phone these days. However, things get a bit more interesting when your partner's area of expertise is taking pictures. My girlfriend is a photographer and this is what it's like to date someone like her:
You learn to like pictures of yourself.
I know I'm not alone when I say that I don't like pictures of myself. I always seem awkward or positioned wrong and, in general, don't seem quite as photogenic as I want to be. But when you have someone who is constantly taking pictures of you, and good pictures at that, you learn to like those pictures. It may be a result of exposure or maybe even not caring as much how I look in a photo, but I don't mind my picture taken at all anymore.
You will become a model, set technician, and camera-person.
As I mentioned, a photographer is constantly taking pictures, but of what is the serious question that will be raised. The answer is you, usually. This extends out of the ordinary pictures and into the interestingly strange or just creative. Whenever my girlfriend wants to experiment with something, I'm the go-to model. Perhaps a sub-heading here should be "You'll get used to makeup" because there sure is going to be a lot of it, but I'd be lying if I said that I'm used to it at all. I've been twisted and make-up'ed and made to hold stuff and had my hair fluffed and all sorts of things. But it's all fun, especially since you're helping the person you love to be creative.
You'll also learn a lot about how to make impromptu sets and how lighting works. Just being around a person who knows how to do these things will teach you a lot, but getting involved (which you certainly will be) expedites that process. For the longest time, we didn't have a proper lighting or backdrop set, so we were left to our creativity with whatever we had. Sheets become backdrops, lamps without their shades leaned awkwardly become perfect lighting, and stools covered in materials become great model pedestals. It becomes part of the fun -- making something out of nothing -- and is much like the photography work itself.
Eventually, you'll be given the camera. This is typically followed by a "Don't drop it" as they release their foreign machinery into your hands. Your first reaction will likely be one of two: "This can't be so hard" or "I have no idea what to do with this." You'll learn that it's both. It's not hard to take a picture, to focus a camera, even to mess with some of the settings, but what is hard is taking a good picture. I've learned more about photo composition and creation in the past year than in my entire life, simply because my girlfriend shares that information and insight with me. Once you know the reason to your rhyme, it gets fun, and you have no trouble taking some shots here and there.
You have a lot of memories.
Of course, any relationship will have memories, good and bad, but what's great about dating a photographer is that they want to document them. Every trip, outing, date, stormy night in, holiday, event is captured by this person because that is how they know how to express the past best. And since they're being creative all the time in a way most of us aren't, much more meaning is packed into every day. The photoshoots, the random walk-arounds, the adventures that you have because of dating a photographer are the best memories you'll know. I've gone out and done more than I ever have because of her, and especially because of her choice of expertise. Having a photographer as a partner sure is worth it, you'll see.
Say "cheese", my friends.
