three important things to remember as you start out in photography
I remember the day I received my first camera. I was full of excitement, wonder and possibility at all the things I could create with this new found technology. Then I started to look at all the buttons and dials and quickly became overwhelmed. There were so many, how would I ever figure it out? I began a journey of reading, watching and taking in all that I can to learn to technically take a photo. I started to understand the settings between shutter speed, aperture and ISO but I didn’t take into consideration the emotional roller coaster we sometimes ride as a photographer. In this blog post, I am going to share three things I learned on this journey that I wish I had known at the start as I pursued photography.
1. You won't always get the shot
Photography is difficult. There are so many things to take in to consideration when you are photographing a subject. For instance, how is the weather? Are clouds in the sky? What is the lighting situation? I used to think I should only shoot a minimum number of photos because I should be able to get the shot with less. Now I take a lot of photos, change angles, expose for different situations so that when I cull I will have a shot I am proud of. But what happens if you don’t get the shot you saw in your mind as you were capturing your subject? It is okay to be disappointed, but DON’T STAY THERE. Use the experience as a learning tool to help you learn what you can do better the next time.
2. Practice, practice, practice
You can read all the manuals, watch all the videos, learn all the things but nothing works better than practice. There is a saying that practice makes perfect. However, I have learned the pursuit of perfection might leave you feeling lack, but the pursuit of being better than you were yesterday gives so much satisfaction.
3. Remember to have fun
I remember when I first started out as a photographer I enjoyed photo trips and trying new things. In the early stages of starting my business I quickly realized that being a photography business owner is kind of difficult and a bit lonely. It became very easy to lose why I started down this journey to begin with. A few things I learned:
- Remember your why. Why do you love photography? What makes you tick? What experience or emotions do you want to convey through your art?
- When you feel stuck and less than inspired, take a break. Get out and shoot. Find a passion project to work on for merely fun.
- When you are stressed, it shows in your work. Your customers can feel it and your photos can sometimes lose that lack of emotion. At least, that is the feeling I get when I am not inspired to do my very best.
- Take a trip that inspires you to get out and shoot, find a friend, group or someone to shoot with. I recently vacationed in Hawaii with my husband for our Anniversary. We booked a tour with a local photographer there and at the end of the day, I was more inspired to keep doing what I am doing. In fact, it lit a fire under my bum to start really pursuing what I want to do which is photograph this beautiful world and share it with anyone who wants to be inspired.
It is my hopes that this blog will inspire you to keep on keeping on. Don’t give up on pursuing your dreams. Remember, it is okay if you don’t get the shot, practice makes perfect and don’t forget to have fun. When you keep those three things in the front of your mind, it will show through the art you create. It may even inspire others to follow their dreams too.
The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. – Oprah Winfrey
If you are looking for a group to join that can help you learn about photography, encourage you to try new things and make some amazing friends might a suggest you check out the Flourish Academy. This community has been one of the most encouraging groups I belong to and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I find there. Check it out HERE.
This post is a part of a photography blog circle featuring photographers specializing in a variety of niches. To see what the next photographer is sharing for the weekly theme, “Three Things No One Tells You About,” check out Jessica Wasik with Bark & Gold Photography, sharing three things no one tells you about Rainbow Sessions. Continue to click the link at the end of each post in the blog circle until you eventually find your way back here.
Comments
I love that reminder about progress over perfection! And of course, the FA plug! That group has changed my life (and photography)!