This is more of a personal reflection blog post. Feel free to share any comments.
-Lisa
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via Twitter: RT @erinalaine “Focus. Figure out what it is u love to shoot, fine tune your creative style, & build your business around that. Anything else is just noise.”
Anyone who knows me, and knows me well, understands that I am not someone who can sit still. By this I mean my interests and desires change almost as frequently as the seasons; a new hair style (or colour), how the furniture is arranged, or even the process of waking up every morning. I like change; change is what defines me, if that even counts as a definition.
I have thought about the different areas of photography since the very first photography class I attended. Our teacher, Doug Wood, asked us what direction we were interested in focusing on. Were we aiming to be hobby or professional business photographers? Journalists, commercial or stock?
I sat there wondering what I was doing. I knew I wanted to take photos; I loved capturing pictures of everything from Grandma’s birthday party to new flowers starting to bloom in early spring. What did I love so much about this form of art? Reflecting on my past captures I realized that there is no single area of focus that I have stuck with. While I say this about myself, I am 99% sure that other photographers have multitudes of photos on numerous subject. Moving on.
My teacher’s question about “focus” really made me wonder what the heck I was doing. I wanted something to focus on, something specific but I could never figure it out.
The very first wedding I photographed was on a Tuesday afternoon, and the bride wore red. I jumped at the opportunity for a new experience; why not? The incentive was experience, but I received a bit of cash as well: $50. I learned a lot that afternoon, walking through Victoria Park with all my gear. I learned that photography is an exhaustive job, and on a hot day, hair should always been tied up. I’ll never forget the day.
I cannot blame any one client for my change of heart; it was a decision I made all on my own. I have had the great fortune of working for the most amazing clients for which I have utmost respect for, and I thank them again for trusting me to capture intimate moments no one could understand.
With any business, from a big corporation to the sole proprietorship I call Waterstone Photography, there are clients who are not a “dream come true.” These clients I still must thank sincerely, for forcing me to realize that every good thing must be challenged.
Those special clients presented challenges and tests of confidence and professionalism. What do I need to improve on? Was the contract fair and clear? Do I need to increase communication? When something good starts going downhill, the only way to improve is to look at where it started. But I’m getting off-track here; I’m really not preaching.
It came to me a few years later, that focus that I so desired. I’m a journalist, but not so much “with the words.” I take photos to remember events, ideas and funny things that happen. Something happening in the community? A car accident or weather anomaly? This revelation isn’t something that boasts me as something of a phenomenon, or that makes me even remotely different from anyone else toting a camera (or three) wherever they go. I do know that I want to channel my thoughts and energy into pursuing photojournalism.
I guess what I want to say is I want to embrace what inspires me. At this time in my photography career, weddings were a fad I tried out. Peer pressure; the “get rich quick” method of photography – and when I use these terms, I am only applying them to me and how I feel about being a “wedding photographer”. Although I enjoyed the results of each and every wedding day, and the undeniable emotions I felt and witnessed, I must confess that my ultimate passion for this area of photography is not there. I got caught up in the adrenaline rush and lost sight of what my focus should be. (Yes, should be.)
Starting into photography, weddings contracts seemed to show up on my desk. First one, then another… and it snowballed into what I “should be” doing. I felt like a robot; answer an inquiry, set up a date, sign a contract, shoot the day, deliver the photos, get some money. Pretty simple, right? I’m not exactly sure what my problem is with the routine… I just feel in my heart that it’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life.
In conclusion of this long-winded, and likely redundant blog post, I want to say that I am thankful for the opportunities I had to learn and gain experience, and to add to my portfolio.
Cheers.
