Exploring the familiar!
I have definitely been one to get caught up in the idea that you need to find the most impressive majestic location to get the “banger” shots. A person in red in front of a cascading waterfall, or your couple on the top of a snowy mountain peak. A photographic feast for the eyes that everyone is amazed to see is easy to make happen! What I have found rather quickly is, where as those locations are incredibly magnificent, you can find true beauty, and something WAY more unique and personal, in your own backyard.
Regardless of where you live, there IS beauty in the everyday, in the ordinary, in what you are used to, if you just open your mind to seeing things a little differently! This should have been a no brainer for me because when I do client sessions, I often times find myself in the same location that I have shot in before. Even though that happens frequently, I have always been able to discover a unique look and hidden spots that I have not discovered during previous visits! The idea should not be to repeat over and over what I already know, but to challenge myself to make a familiar location, a new experience!
I wanted to talk about the idea of finding beauty in the every day, in the familiar. This was represented clearly during my session with my niece Lydia a week ago in downtown Louisville, a place that I have been many many times, but this time, when we were there to shoot, we found so many beautiful nooks and crannies! A place that I have known for 21 years came alive in a way I didn’t expect in the least!
Who would think..
you would find beauty in an alley?
As soon as we hopped out of the car, we started seeing locations that could serve as an interesting addition to the story we were creating that evening.
We made our way down the streets of the tiny downtown, and had probably 5-10 different stops within about 10 minutes/2 block area…not too shabby I would say!
We took some chances and asked to use an open area of an outdoor open restaurant for a couple of shots! Be brave and just ask! All they can say is no!
Within all 4-5 blocks of the main downtown, we had so many places of beauty, interest and character to shoot in!
** click the thumbnail below for a larger view! **
The idea of finding the beauty in the everyday, familiar, ordinary, whatever you may call it, can be applied to photo of your environment as well. Sometimes I challenge myself to walk around places in my own neighborhood, and see what I see, that I may have overlooked, or looked beyond just because I’m used to seeing it. I am often surprised at what strikes my eye!
If you want a fun experiment, do this in your home, your neighborhood or around your work! Use your cell phone to take the pics! Sometimes the most unexpected things can make the most interesting photos!!
Thank you for stopping in this week!! Reach out if you want to share ideas or thoughts, my door is always open!!
Until next week…
<3