In this episode I share 5 lessons I learned this summer in photography.
This episode doesn't discuss learning composition, learning fine camera details like shutter speed, aperture or ISO, it doesn't discuss camera tech.
This episode takes a deep dive into the other side of photography.
Lesson #1: Action Brings Clarity
When I was contemplating leaving Fort McMurray in the Spring and pursuing photography I was unsure about it. So for the months I was there I pursued photography on the side (in the evenings and weekends). When it came actually time to make a decision I decided to go for it because I knew I would never find out if this was the right path unless I TRIED IT!
Then in the summer when I was trying to figure out which niche I wanted to focus on action continued to help bring clarity. I tried portrait photography, pet photography, product photography. I trialed any niche that peaked my interest.
Now I knew from the beginning there were some niche's that didn't interest me - newborn photography, maternity photography, birthing photography, wedding photography.
The one thing that has always brought me joy, that I have always loved doing - travel and landscape photography.
It was through action that I found clarity in what I really wanted to do.
Lesson #2: Every Photographer is Unique
One of the limiting beliefs I had when I started and sometimes still fight with is that there is no room for me in photography, I couldn't produce a different image, I can't be unique when the market is this saturated.
I picked this up from Marie Forleo but anytime I have a limiting belief like this I...
Take out my journal and write what the belief is
Draw a line through what I had just written
Write b******* next to it
Below it write why they are b******
To give an example this is an actual limiting beliefs I wrote down on February 22, 2020.
"It's already been done/there's tons out there so nobody would be interested" B******
Every human is different. Every person has a different story to tell. Every soul has a different perspective. because of our differences there is always room for us in the creative world.
YOUR different perspective, YOUR different life story, how YOU interact with the world, how YOU interact with your subject is going to be completely different than how someone else does. YOU are different. YOU are unique.
Lesson #3: Build Community Over Competition
Similar to the limiting belief about the saturated market of photography is competition.
I would scroll on Instagram and think to myself "there is no way I could produce a beautiful image like that".
I would compare my photos to other photographers that have been doing this for years and I would get stressed.
I would think how am I suppose to compete, be unique and be seen?
How do I get from this "bloody red ocean to a clean blue ocean"?
It wasn't until I started seeing photography through the lens of community and showing up to social media and the world as authentically me that everything changed.
Now I strive every day and every week to put the community first over myself, be part of the community, help build each other up, and provide inspiration.
Lesson #4: Understanding Why I Click the Shutter and Why I Compose
In photography there are tons of rules...
Rule of Thirds
Balance out your elements
Direct the eye with leading lines
Offset the subject
However, when was the last time you stopped and emotionally thought why you clicked the shutter?
I clicked the shutter in this photo for a couple of reasons:
I loved the setting sun in the background
I loved the orange, pink and purple colors in the sky
I loved the little waves the Lake was creating
When I click the shutter it has to look and feel right to me, I need to be in tune with my emotion and feelings and feel my most creative.
I think that is why this last session at the beach was the best session I have felt in a long time! I was overwhelmed with happiness and emotion.
At the beginning I used to point my camera at whatever caught my eye. Eventually I started to photograph more what I thought people would want to see and like.
I've recently started to gravitate towards photographing with my emotion first.
Lesson #5: Importance of Creating your own Photography Values
What values do you have as a photographer? Do you have them written down somewhere? Do you try to embody those values in your work?
Earlier in the summer I started drafting what values I want to embody as a photographer.
What is important to me?
What do I want my work to stand for?
What guides my photography?
What attracts me to other photographers?
What drives me on how and why I do things?
Coming up with these values has helped provide clarification on my content and who I want to be as a photographer.
If you learned any lessons about photography this past summer leave a comment on the YouTube video!
Thanks everyone for reading and have yourself an amazing day!
xoxo
Robynne | Beautifully Wander