On patience….and ice skating.

I’ve come to understand that patience is the greatest asset of a photographer. It’s also one of the most difficult aspects of a job that usually entails tight deadlines and no re-shoots.

Recently I needed to get a few shots of my visiting nieces. That the most cooperative of children transform into tiny tot terrors the moment they see a camera was compounded by the short duration of their visit.

I was sorely tempted to rush into the photos and get them done as early as possible. However past experience has taught me that the results of such a mind set are typically poor at best. And so I persisted with patience, snapping the odd photo, but never forcing the issue.

On the last day of their visit my photographic serenity was rewarded. A quick trip to the local skating rink resulted in an hour of easy shooting and a slew of candids, my favorite of which is shown above.

Life, and photography, is all about timing. Don’t forget to bring your camera.