William Bragg, PhotographerProfessional photographer, Salem, Oregon

So I had a photoshoot with a really nice couple. The problem? It wasn’t the couple I was expecting. Those who know me are well aware of my problems remembering people’s names (give me a phone number though, or any number and I don’t forget it; go figure.) I’m pretty visual in my thinking. If a face doesn’t pop into my mind when hearing the name, there’s pretty much no way that I’ll know who we’re talking about, and no way I’ll remember the name. I’ve tried all the tricks to no avail, but I’ve become pretty proficient in deflecting such a lack of memory politely. Of course, now that I’ve posted this, it’s going to be harder to fake it.

Anyways, I’ve been casually mentioning to this acquaintance of mine that I’d love to take some photos with him and his significant other. Also he drives a classic VW sedan, and I thought we should incorporate it in the shoot. He always responds that he’d love to and his partner is equally, if not more excited about the prospect. So I receive an e-mail that they would love to do a shoot. I know a perfect place, and tell them to make sure they drive his car.

The day arrives and I’m at the specified location, and his partner calls that they’re running a few minutes late, but they’ll be at the location shortly. I tell them not to worry, and comment once again that I hope they’re driving the car. So I’m sitting on the hood of my Jeep waiting for them, when another more, let’s say, current model car pulls in. I notice as they pull up that I recognize the passenger and driver. Then it hits me! This is the couple I’ve been corresponding with, not the couple I believed I was going to photograph.

I believe that I was professional enough that they didn’t sense anything, and the shoot went really well. They were very happy with the results. But I’m sure that they had no idea why I kept bringing up the fact that they should bring ‘the car’. There was nothing special about their car, nor did we even use it. I was a bit flustered, and my brain flashed back to a quote from an old and cheesy Clint Eastwood film from the 80s – “Improvise, adapt, overcome.”

I don’t think the couple reads my blog, but if they/you do, I hope you see the humor in this. And actually, if you do think this post is about you, don’t worry it’s not. I promise.