Plaid and the Family Photo

Recently I received this red/black flannel shirt from a friend with whom I was about to embark on a road trip. As I looked at it, my heart jumped a bit, then I recovered quickly and thanked her for the thoughtful gift. (She explained that it came from Carol at Beau Photo in Vancouver, so thanks, Carol!!) I tried it on immediately and it fit so well that I wore it almost all weekend while we were out photographing wildlife and landscapes together. (above, photo credit: Philomena Hughes Photography)

But I didn't mention what it felt like the moment I laid eyes on it. I'll tell you now if you care to read further... 

My dad worked in the woods when I was young, and I can still bring back memories of him with just a whiff of freshly cut lumber. And he almost always wore a plaid shirt or jacket when he was working outdoors. I don't know who took his photo above, probably Mum or my sister, or maybe even me, it doesn't matter. When it came time to choose an obituary photo of our father when he passed away Oct 29, 2013, it was easy to agree on this one. It captured the essence of the man we dearly loved.

Plaid runs in our family!

I wonder who took our family photo of us sitting on the sofa? Most lightly my aunt, Mum's sister, because I think it was when we visiting in Toronto back in 1962.

The black and white photo is of my parents when they were engaged. Even my mother wore plaid! Her skirt is a tartan. 

Upper left is Mum and Dad on their trip to Alaska in the 80's. Plaid and more plaid!

Upper right is my grandmother on Dad's side, with Dad and his four siblings. (Who says you can't wear plaid, florals and stripes in a family photo session??)

Lower left is on my parents' 40th anniversary when we made time for a family photo. That was back in 1997!! And there I am in the plaid shirt, and so is Dad. (No clothing consult prior to the shoot, that's for sure!)

The black and white photo with my grandfather (with his hand over his eye-whatever for, I don't know!) wearing his plaid shirt.

Family...gotta love 'em!!

As a professional photographer, I enter images into competition, and recently when I had some of my session photos critiqued to see if they were good enough to be considered to enter, it was pointed out to me that plaid will probably never be accepted in competition. WHAT?? It draws too much attention away from the subject. Just as busy prints and logos on shirts, and stripes! OMG! One judge even admitted she didn't like plaid and never wore it, but really, that shouldn't make a difference in how the image gets judged, right? She did suggest trying to tone down the plaid, or make it black and white, so I appreciated that input.

But my clients LOVE plaid and wear it to so many of my fall sessions. And to that I say, THANK YOU! You are presenting your authentic selves when you dress the way you love to dress, and I will never force anyone to try to change their look just so I can enter an image in competition.

But I might just try to enter one for the fun of hearing what the judges say!! Maybe I would even get an Excellence score for showing how in the 2020's people dressed. What do you think?

Terrill Bodner, MPA is an Accredited member of Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) and nationally qualified judge, and is one of a very few professional photographers living in Prince George who have achieved the designation of Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of Canada.

Terrill specializes in Family Portraiture, Personal Branding and Headshots (in studio and on location), and Fine Art photography.

Her Accreditations include Portraiture, Fine Art/Photo Decor, Animals, Wildlife, Nature, Ornithology/Bird, Botanical, Pictorial/Scenic, Travel Illustration, Stock, and Night Photography.