You are a Photographer, make me look amazing!

There are a number of people in the world that are very insecure. These insecurities range from looks, to what they eat, to the amount they exercise, to being insecure about what the person next to them might be thinking about them at that very moment. I personally believe that these are all very normal things to be insecure about, and be able to live with them. However with the change from film to digital photography I believe there has been change in peoples expectations of their own photos now. 

"Don't you have an editing program to fix that?"

I am sure that there are a number of photographers out there that have heard this very phrase. You deliver what you feel are amazing realistic photos to your client, and than you get this very response. People have grown to such a point that they all believe that they should be super models, and even though they are not that a photo can be edited to make them into a super model. I will admit that this is something that can be accomplished. Photoshop and Lightroom are very valuable tools and are quite amazing at editing photos. These programs are able to not only give us our personal "dark room" but also give us the ability to manipulate a photo and make it or our subject look however we choose. However it is something that we have to choose to do. 

This is a very touchy subject for me and it is hard to properly express what needs to be said. Photos are meant to be memories, and to give you a glimpse into the past. To remind you of a moment long forgotten and to bring it back to the forefront at a moments notice. However, if the photo is a lie, than how is that memory going to special? How is there any meaning to it? How can you tell someone the amazing story that goes with the photo, when what is depicted is not accurate? Sounds strange to think about, but it is something that is worth thinking about. If per say a photographer was to take a person and "magically shed" all those pounds for them and make them look like Cindy Crawford what does that do for the client? Nothing. Truth be told the client is paying the photographer to lie. And than what is going to happen to that picture and all the hours of editing? It will be stuffed away into the dark recesses of computer storage or a desk top drawer. Never to see the light of day. Why? Because in reality who can the client show that photo too? If they show it to anyone it is going to be a lie, it is not who they are. It is not their own personal natural beauty. It is a fake, hopeful rendition of what the client one day hopes/day dreams to be. However it is not realistic. 

YOU ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER! MAKE ME LOOK AMAZING!

You are right, I am a photographer, I am also a super hero to some. I have the amazing ability to take the person that I have before me, and pull out the most beautiful things about them and capture it in a photo. As a photographer I will promise you that I will use my super hero powers to help you look amazing, but you are the one that has to do the real work. You have to smile, show your personality, and above all show that you love and accept yourself as you are. That is really all you need to do, and I will handle the rest. I will make sure that the pose is right, I will make sure the colors are correct. I will help you pose and I will do whatever I need to make you smile and laugh. But I must remind you every super hero does not act alone. Super Man has Lois Lane, Batman has Robin. Each helps the other. So this means that you have to do your part, love yourself, accept yourself, and show who you really are, and I promise you I will use my super powers to show it to you!

What keeps you going?

Have you ever stopped and thought about why you picked up a camera for the first time? Have you ever thought about why?

I remember having a camera at a very young age. I was able to document and remember things via pictures with my little 110mm camera. It was nothing special, and I honestly have no idea where I got it. I remember having to be so careful and picky about what I shot, because my parents would not spend a lot of money on film and I had to make due with what I had. As I got older and had the chance to earn money the number of photos increased. Not by a lot, but they increased. I also changed cameras and upgraded to a simple 35mm camera. This camera went everywhere with me. But the one thing that I have noticed in all the photos that I have taken revolved around to central subjects, my friends and animals. As I was growing up I never thought twice about it, I guess that I assumed that it was normal, however now that I have grown and I have learned there is more out there and this pointed out to me that these were my chosen subjects. They are where I draw my inspiration from, and what I find to be the most beautiful.

Animals are amazing creatures. They are inquisitive, protective, and quick studies in a given situation. Not to mention they put no work into maintaining their body composition and they are able maintain an air of beauty and prowess, unless of course they are a spoiled pet in which case they are still beautiful, just a bit chunky. I love the look in the eye of any animal, domestic or wild. You can see the story there. The story of what the animal has been through. This is something that can range from showing strength and perseverance to an older animal where you can see that they have seen a lot, done a lot and now they are tired, they are ready to let go and move on to the next world. It is striking how much can be portrayed with an animal who cannot really communicate to us at all. What an animal can do with one look is what I want to be able to do with each of my photos. I want to portray the story, what ever it may be at the time. In essence I want to take a thousand moments, and have them all ring through in one photo at one time. The same way that you can see the story of an animal just by taking a look in their eye. I truly believe when someone says that the eye is a window to the soul, especially with animals.

As I said before my friends and family are my other inspiration in photography. My family and friends have encouraged me from the moment that I picked up a camera. I never thought much of it until I took a picture of a dog we had adopted from a local shelter. She was laying on the floor and the light was streaming in from the sliding glass door and she was looking toward me. She sat still for a long time and so I was able to take multiple shots. I was able to make this shot look angelic with a slower shutter speed and a few minor adjustments in Light Room. A friend saw the shot and asked for me to take photos of her newborn. This gave me a huge leap in confidence. Why? Because at that point I was only playing with the camera. Beyond photos of my pets I took pictures of my children during sporting events. I was the typical mom that tried to document everything, however I did not realize that I was better than what I gave myself credit for. Once this realization hit I began to move forward. I have a cousin and we critique each others work, and use each other to challenge ourselves to get better, my children are good sports and let me use them as models, and even their friends get in on it from time to time. My husband is so supportive that he goes to shoots with me and carries my gear while I photograph. I can go on and on. The fact that my family and friends are willing to support and encourage me gives me inspiration and makes me want to continue to pick up my camera and photograph the world around me even when I have lost faith in myself.

I know this is not what you thought I was going to say about inspiration and the good idea fairy. But it is all true. This is where my inspiration comes from. Where do you get your inspiration or drive for photography from? On a down day what keeps you going back and picking up your camera? After a bad experience from a client what inspires you to move forward? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Where did you learn that?

"Wow, that's a really nice camera, I bet it takes great pictures!"

I can not begin to tell you how much I cannot stand this statement. People have this thought process that if something is expensive that it is amazing. I hate to burst their bubble, but it is only as a good as the person operating it. Sound familiar? Same statement is made about computers.

As a photographer there are a number of ways to learn. Most people think it is all the camera, but believe it or not there is actually a learning curve if you want to take amazing photos. It is not all about the gear, it is all about how you use to the gear to maximize what it can do for you.

I have encountered people who think that you have to go to school to become a photographer. However there are great photographers who never went to college for photography. One of these people is Jim Harmer who is the owner and operator of Improve Photography. He went to school to become a lawyer and fell in love with photography while studying to be a lawyer. This man now sells landscape prints, and is teaching hundreds to thousands of people how to become better photographers daily. I must admit he and all of the others that assist with Improve Photography and all of the podcasts has taught me so much! I can only dream to be able to shoot like them someday! (No he didn't pay me to make that statement either. I really love how he and his team teach!) I also listen to the German photographer Chris Marquardt. Chris caters his podcast to his listeners and answers questions, and talks about the amazing trips he has taken. He is great at explaining things that occurred during his trip and ALWAYS has a teaching point for travel photography. These are a group of people that as far as I am aware never spent a day in college learning photography. Which is an inspiration to me because I know that I do not have to spend my time in a classroom and spending money that I cannot afford to learn my craft. What is even better is these same people who are self taught or have learned from others have podcasts, and websites and classes that they give to people for free or at a very minimal price! Another great place for information is Digital Photography School. Digital Photography School is owned by Darren Rowse. His website began as a blog, and it has grown to so much more. He has guest posters regularly with tons of information and guides, classes, and recommendations for books. Darren also has a podcast that covers things like blogging. One last place that I have learned a lot from are (believe it or not) Facebook groups! I can post pictures and ask for everyone's opinions and suggestions for improvement. 90% of the time I get very helpful responses and encouragement to move forward with my photography. Just remember with something like this though that you are opening yourself up to be criticized by people as well. Sadly I have seen people attacked by others who are either insecure, or do not know how to give help without coming across as rude or hateful. So I highly encourage you to hide your feelings and take nothing personally if you post in a group, remember you are getting opinions and suggestions. Do not let anyone cut your confidence down.

All of these places/people that I have mentioned above supplies all of the information that they can at little to no cost. Which for someone like me is amazing because I just cannot sit in a classroom to learn photography. Not to mention I cannot afford to pay tuition for college to learn my craft. Please do not think that I am down playing the value of a college education. I do believe that this is something that is extremely important! However, for many photography for many is a hobby and either do not have the time or the money to go to college for a hobby. This is the situation that I am in. Now that I have found these sources, I feel it is important to share what I have learned in order to help others! Below are the some links to where I spend my rainy evenings studying and learning how to become a better photographer. Take a look, explore their websites and see what you can learn! If you have places where you are able to get information and have been really happy with what you have learned please share it so I can add it to my list! Happy learning!

*Disclaimer* I in no way shape or form was paid to recommend or advertise all of the websites below. These are websites that I have found on my own or had recommended to me. I am just sharing what I have found in hopes to help each of you learn and grow in the world of photography.

www.improvephotography.com/
www.digital-photography-school.com/
www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com
www.hillacademy.xyz/

Here are a few facebook groups/pages as well.
Tripod podcast listeners
Portrait Sessions Podcast Listeners
Photo Taco Podcast Listeners
Improve Photography Podcast
Tips from the Top Floor
Digital Photography School