I've written this before, but when I was in high school and I was trying to do my art project with a video camera(I wanted to make a music video to a Violent Femmes song) my art teacher made me do my project in photography. I suppose I owe Tom King .... well .... everything! The video camera was broken and I didn't come up with a plan b. He said he wanted me to do photography and the school had a Nikon FE2 with a 50mm lens. I resisted because I really hated the idea and I remember telling him I hate photography and photographers. The photographers I'd experienced in the past were at weddings and they sorta ruin all the fun... or posing for family portraits where the person doing the shots had to get it just right and really didn't even know how to use the camera....so I had a bad taste in my mouth with regard to photography. But years later here I am, basically living a photographic life. One thing I do remember about that old old feeling about photographers is that not having fun part and I have vowed to myself to not be one of those photographers. I have fun making pictures and try to get my subjects to have fun as well--Everyone look up there--now there--ok kiss Grandma...now get attitude...smile....seriously is that the look you want to go with??? I try all sorts of things to get everyone relaxed and laughing. It is then that we get our shot. And those outtakes in between are also where we get a real glimpse into the family portrait as opposed to being just a picture of the family. I hope no one feels that they don't want to become a photographer someday after a photo shoot with me. That would be a tragedy...and Mr. King...Thank you! SayerMotter photographs by Richard Sayer.