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!
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!
2 comments:
Just to think, anything can be an inspiration. Take Walt Disney for example, he was inspired just by sitting on a bench at a park and seeing his children play is how how came up with the idea for Disneyland. Anyone who is anyone would want to think nothing inspires them, but we all have had something in way, or even look up to someone who may have inspired them. Why else would we be here. Taken a chosen career, why did you decide to go in that career path. Someone must have shown a way to go that path.
That is a great point Mark! Thank you so much for pointing that out!
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