Why do you pick up a camera?
Tiny ant size people in an expansive landscape, light cutting the scene dramatically and my eye WANTED that shot…in that way. In a matter of seconds, the scene completely changed.
I just uploaded a blog a few days ago, but decided with my new blogging mentality, I am choosing to upload when it feels right versus following a strict schedule like I did before. I think that way I can best keep my thoughts, shares and dialogue relevant to what’s on my mind, instead of trying to curate for what I think people want or are expecting to see. I hope that people will resonate with that and want to become a part of that!
These blog entries may only have one photo, or a bundle of them, but they will be inspired by something current to me!
I listened to an Instagram live with Sean Tucker and Jeffrey Saddoris Process Driven Podcast today (as well as the linked podcast) that talks about the process of photography. Not the gear and technical side, but the thoughts and ideas, as well as creative vision that goes into why we even pick up the camera in the first place. I felt super inspired to write.
I kind of wanted to open a dialogue about why do YOU pick up a camera? I don’t care if you aren’t a “photographer” or even have any interest in the artistic, visionary side of it, but I want to talk to everyone. We all take photos. We all have reasons why we pick it up and what is important to us in the end product.
My first reasons for picking up a camera when I was little was capturing “cool” things my friends and I did. That in itself gives me an idea for another blog if I could get my hands on some of those gems lol. I LOVED taking photos with my 110 point and shoot camera. I legit took it everywhere. My goals at that point…well I’m not sure I can remember those specifics if I’m going to be real here, but I know that my main idea was because I wanted to be able to look at those pictures, remember those memories and relive moments that I felt were important. I know that I was drawn to photographs in general, the moods they gave, the smiles they gave me or the questions they raised.
Fast forward to my entry into life as a photographer as a trade, a way to contribute to my families finances as well as feed that creative spirit that is innately inside of me. I started, with my daughters. My goals at first were to create the BEST photo I could, that illustrated their cuteness as perfect as I could. All of that was amazing, because roll after roll, I learned. I learned what I needed to do technically to take a “good” photo…as well as how easy it was to make a BAD photo lol. I loved having so many photos of my littles, and I loved that taking pictures of the two people most important to me, would be my means to growing my knowledge of photographic skills.
Giant leap to today. All the rules are now innately ingrained in my mind. That being said, they have become a mere side note to how I shoot for my art. I see something that looks interesting to me. I may take a minute to frame it, settle it into view as I would like it portrayed, and make the shot. Don’t let that last phrase imply that I feel like I take a great shot every time, I most definitely don’t, but I LIKE most of the images I make for one reason or another.
I have evolved through many different phases of my photography. Like the podcast guest Karl Taylor said, he went from thinking he knew a lot, to realizing 10 years later, he really didn’t. This will be the same statement I find true in yet another decade, for me, I feel sure, since it is absolutely true for the first 20 years of doing this!
Today, I am drawn to less convention. I don’t want the perfect looking photo…or let me rephrase, I want what is the perfect photo for me. I shared a photo the other day with a friend, a photo that I really loved. Their first response was, “to bad it’s blurry”. I truly didn’t take it personally, which I TOTALLY would have even 5-6 years ago lol, but knew when I brought it out to share that not everyone sees like I do. I knew this would probably be the reaction, and maybe they didn’t think it was worth anything, but that’s not why I made it. Today I am more about going left, if the masses go right. Its partially an intentional rebellion but also is just that my tastes have strayed a little from what I used to think was aesthetically desirable.
This leaves me with you. I would love to have a conversation in the comments about why you choose to snap a shot on your phone or on a camera. Those reasons may not always be the same. I am just interested. I am interested in what you are hoping to see in a photo? This may also be a hard questions to answer but I’d love to know!
I’m sharing a few of my favorites below of my last roll of 110 film that I finished up last weekend. I love this camera and this film. I love the gritty grain, odd dust spots (I remove some and leave some), the colors that can have a mind of their own on this funny old film.
To wrap up my thoughts for the day, for people who have known my work for years, may look at what I am sharing now and question what went wrong lol. I get it. (I still do that same kind of work that you will see on my web site and Instagram, based on what each client is looking for, disclaimer) Another gem of a comment I heard on the live reinforced my vision, and stated one must be ok with stepping completely away from what you normally do, or you will never grow. Take a chance. Seek new “ways”. I have seen the benefit of doing this first hand and LOVE what I do for my clients, and also am really loving what I do for myself personally, that will help me produce even better work for the people that want what I have to offer!
I truly would love for you to comment. I would love to know why at a party, gathering, or just when you are at home alone, you want to take a photo. Its just something really fun to think about and share, in my opinion!! Don’t be shy!!! lol
Until my next spurt of inspiration comes….stay healthy, stay home, stay positive.
<3 to you all