Dear Wexner Center for the Arts,

Thank you for serving the arts community and Columbus. I’ve been to a few exhibits, and I’ve been impressed every time I go.

But one thing bugs me. Your ban on personal photography. Why can’t I take pictures to preserve my memory of my visits, especially visits with my kids? I take my camera with me everywhere when I’m with my kids. When I go to the Zoo. Snap. When I’m at a baseball game. Snap. When I’m at COSI. Snap.

When I’m at the Wex. No Snap.

That gives me a giant

So I can understand your ban if only for commercial purposes. You see, even the Metropolitan Museum of Art allows non-commercial photography.

Still photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only in the Museum’s galleries devoted to the permanent collection. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions or areas designated as “No Photography”; works of art on loan from private collections or other institutions may not be photographed. The use of flash is prohibited at all times and in all galleries. Movie and video cameras are prohibited. Tripods are allowed Wednesday through Friday, and only with a permit issued by the Information Desk in the Great Hall.

But the Wex says:

Please note: You will be asked to check backpacks, large purses and other large bags, umbrellas, and cameras or recording devices before entering the galleries.

That really bothers me. So I’m putting up some protest art on this page. I hope you listen.

As a side note, think of the social media buzz you are missing out by not allowing us to snap a picture and show our network of all the cool things going on inside the Wex.

Please Wexner, allow for non-commercial photography in the Wex. kthxbai

Oh snap!

I received a Photo Tip from Cord Camera today on taking pictures of your kids for Mother’s Day. I think I’m going to go do this this weekend. Here’s Phase 1 of the tip:

Phase 1

First, get the kids dressed up nicely at home. You should coordinate the color tones of their clothes, but do not dress them in matching identical outfits. Bring a nice blanket for them to sit on during the shoot to help keep their clothes clean and a casual change of clothes for each child. Oh yeah – don’t forget your camera!

Next, take the kids to the location you have in mind for the shoot. This could be a location that has a special place in your wife’s heart (such as where you proposed, if possible), a naturally beautiful area, or something else entirely. Scout it out beforehand during the time of day you plan to take the photos. Pay attention to the light (the sun should be behind the kids), depth, and background (keep this in mind when planning the outfits).

Once you arrive at your location, get the kids posed nicely together for a group formal shot, stand farther back than normal, and zoom in to flatten the depth of field. You may also want to pop up your flash (“P” mode on many cameras). Take a few tests and see what looks best. Once you have several good shots from that scene, you are ready to move to Phase 2.