Failure is not an option, its critically necessary

That is a dark way to start a post probably but I truly believe it. We can only grow in the hardest times. These times can be in a season of doubt, they can show themselves in a time of conflict, and sometimes we find ourselves in a dark state when things seem to be going exactly as planned. So how does that make any sense? Well I should start by saying anything written here on my site, is my opinion alone and either from my experience or observation. I think its pretty easy to know when shit has hit the fan and when we are in a time of doubt but how does this express itself when everything seems to be going well? This is a personal experience and one that takes us removing some distractions and hearing ourselves truthfully. We have to listen but honestly listen. We have to take our guard down even to ourselves. We have to be open to seeing how we can improve our work, our situation, and our circumstances. Only when we are open to the idea of growing even when things seemingly are going our way. When our work feels the way we want it to, When we are open to the idea of growing, forever looking to improve can we then extend ourselves to be what we truly are capable of. 

So go make something, mess up a lot, and make it again. Only then will you grow and I want to be there for it!

Your work doesn't have to be perfect to be great!

I am currently siting by the water at Hungry Mother State Park, in Virginia waiting to meet my niece for some photos before her dance tonight. The drive here from Kingsport was peaceful and left me time to think, and brainstorm for this post. I am trying to write daily, but missed for the second time yesterday as life happens, but because Natasha and I had a date night where we tried Bloom in Bristol for the fist time and it was fantastic. Ok now that you are sort of caught up, let’s get after it.

I recently posted a photo to a group of photographers, on the Facebook and was immediately rewarded by comments of how it was beautiful, but wasn’t exactly in focus.  No offense internet but I know what I am doing, and was aware of it not being completely in focus. BUT- who says it has to be? Who decides what is and is not acceptable in art?  The Short answer is the creator. If you make it, it makes zero difference what others think of it. We are all guilty of hoping our work and what we create resonates with others, but in the search for that common connection we have somehow decided that it’s ok to accepts what others think as truth.

I mean lets take aperture for example. Some people believe that shooting everything wide open, and blowing out all remnants of the scene makes it professional. I love this look too but I also love shooting at f8, f11, sometimes even at f22 but mostly on film. I understand the draw, it removes all distractions, but it also removes the time and effort that goes into choosing the location of the shoot itself if you think about it.  I am not saying one is right or wrong and truly see the benefits of both at times. I bring this up just as an example to open your mind to think differently.

Have you ever seen a photograph in motion, that was blurry and mysterious?  It also leads to interpretation. Shooting anything and expecting it to be perfect every time makes the task much more mundane, and less like the art we want to make and why we picked up a camera in the first place.

I am not suggesting everything should be out of focus. I am not suggesting that you can’t shoot exactly how you want to, and exactly how you see the moment you are trying to capture.

So, take a piece of advise from me, or don’t ( it’s still your call ) but don’t throw a moment away because its not perfect. Do not delete a meaningful image just because it’s not ideal. Moments matter people. More than sharpness, more than color, more than money, and more than fame.

Don’t be afraid to drag your shutter sometime. Dare to include movement via camera pans, or time lapse. No one should decide how and what your work defines.  Take it from a guy who has had to learn that and it didn’t come easy. For years and years I had chased the perfect camera, the perfect lens ( Hello Canon RF glass ) but if everything is perfect, then where is the thought? Where is the emotion? Where is the effort by us to make something unique?

Thanks for continuing to be here. Please swing by the home page and follow me on all the socials.

Here’s to a fantastic Saturday fam!

Sweet 16 Session

Life is funny isn’t it? We take jobs where we meet people and unknowingly make life long friends. I am not great at making close friends because of my type 9 personality but I do have a plethora of them. One of the friends ( of many) I made while working for Lowes was Eric. He worked in appliances and I was in delivery. through working together, I have had the pleasure of meeting his family, capture his mother -in-laws wedding, taken photos of their children, and most recently was honored to capture Pasley’s sweet 16 photos as well.

If you read yesterdays entry, you know I hope to write daily but to also be precise and short with my words. I hope the photos bring you joy, inspiration, or encourage you to call your favorite photographer to schedule a session today.

We took these at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee and all images where taken with my favorite camera- My Canon EOS R3