I’m an Over Shooter but I’m Okay With It. Here’s Why.
I’m an Over Shooter but I’m Okay With It. Here’s Why. | Skyler Maire Photography
Have you ever returned home from an hour-long photoshoot and started to transfer your images to a hard drive, only to realize you took over 1,500 photos? When it’s time to cull through the images, it takes you close to an hour, and you find yourself going through them again and again just to get down to a reasonable number. You start to feel frustrated and wonder if you’re doing something wrong.
You might see the term “over shooter” thrown around in photography circles or Facebook groups, and there’s often a stigma attached to it. Some photographers claim that shooting fewer images makes you a better photographer, and many cite film photography as the “gold standard” because it forces you to take fewer images.
For a long time, I bought into that mindset. I believed overshooting was a sign of being inexperienced or lacking creativity behind the camera. But as I’ve gained more experience and found my own rhythm as a photographer, I’ve changed my perspective. Now, I fully embrace the benefits of overshooting and here’s why.
1. Mirrorless Cameras Have Changed the Game
Before mirrorless cameras became popular, many of us used DSLRs or even film cameras. Those tools are fantastic, but there’s no denying that they’re slower compared to the mirrorless technology available today. With mirrorless cameras, I can shoot with incredible speed and precision, capturing up to 20 frames per second. This allows me to experiment with angles, catch fleeting moments, and get multiple variations of a scene in a way that older cameras simply couldn’t.
When you have this kind of capability, why not take advantage of it? One of the benefits of overshooting with a mirrorless camera is the ability to catch every possible expression and detail, especially when working with fast-moving subjects like kids or large groups where someone’s bound to blink or look away. Which brings me to my next point.
2. It’s a Lifesaver When Photographing Large Groups or Kids
Another reason I’ve embraced the benefits of overshooting is that it’s a total game-changer when working with larger groups of people, young children, or even pets. These situations can be chaotic, and you need to make sure that everyone looks their best in the final images. With kids, especially, their attention spans are short and their moods can shift in an instant.
Instead of waiting for that “perfect” moment when everyone’s eyes are open and they’re all smiling, I keep the camera rolling. The result? I get way more usable shots in a shorter amount of time. Even if it takes a bit longer to cull through the extra photos later, it’s worth it because I know I’ll end up with more winning images in the final gallery.
3. Some of the Best Photographers Overshoot, Too
Here’s a little secret: some of the best and most well-known photographers out there are proud over shooters. So, if they’re doing it and their work is still being celebrated, why should we feel bad about it? Overshooting doesn’t mean you’re less skilled or lack confidence; it means you’re dedicated to getting the best results for your clients.
The idea that taking fewer images somehow makes you a better photographer is outdated, especially in the digital age. With the storage space and technology we have now, there’s no reason to limit yourself unnecessarily. I’ve come to embrace the benefits of overshooting as a way to ensure I’m delivering the highest quality gallery to my clients.
4. My Final Galleries Are Better Because of It
At the end of the day, my final galleries are simply better than they used to be. By taking more photos, I’m able to present clients with a variety of options: different poses, expressions, and small, candid moments they didn’t even realize were happening.
This means I don’t miss out on the little details that can make a photo special – like a kiddo’s little smirk, a special “look” between a couple, or the way the light perfectly hits a subject for just a split second.
My editing process may take a little longer, but the effort pays off when I’m delivering a gallery full of rich, meaningful images that truly capture the essence of the moment. And that’s one of the biggest benefits of overshooting: it allows me to give my clients more than they expect.
So, if you’re an “over shooter” like me, don’t see it as a bad thing! It’s about time we view it through a different lens. Taking more images has allowed me to improve my galleries, document more meaningful moments, and ultimately deliver better galleries to my clients. 🙂
And before I sign off, I also want to take a moment to note that if you are a photographer who tries to “shoot less” or maybe you’re strictly a film photographer, that is A-OK! You do you, boo! I’m just trying to offer a different perspective for those “over-shooters” out there, cause I don’t think we deserve the bad rep we see so often online.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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