I worked the weekend and was absolutely frazzled. Natalie’s son was going to his first ever homecoming dance and the pomp and circumstance was palpable throughout the day as they all prepared. I even needed to help with tie-tying duties. The night before, while laying in bed after a horrible day of work, I was asked to photograph the group of 8 and reluctantly agreed since their schedule conflicted with my work schedule and I was doubtful I would make it to the John Michael Kohler Art Center where the kids and their proud parents were congregating. Lucky for me they were all late and I barely made it there in time to get a few pictures before they all left in a blur for food at a local chain restaurant and the dance afterward.
Here’s what I was able to get. Nothing was planned and I only had about 5 minutes to do this before they left. I see a lot of flaws, but they’re still a little better than cell phone pictures (in my mind). To add to the stress of the evening I was singled out by the museum’s security for taking pictures outside their building (which is open to the public) as he was concerned I would be taking pictures of the sculptures that were copyrighted. There were moms with cell phones snapping pictures left and right and that was fine. I had my Nikon DSLR camera and therefore I was suspect.
I was given a card and ask to contact the marketing director about the incident and did as I was asked. My response from her was that she loved the pictures and the security guard was wrong to ask me to stop because personal photographs on the property are competely acceptable especially when they are taken outside the art center. I was welcome to return any time to take pictures. It was a mess, but in the end, no harm was done, and the kids have a few pictures to look at when they are my age.
