You’ll FIND you…when YOU DO :: {artistic style, contemplative photography ramblings}

When I post new blog posts, they consist of mostly images, however, on occasion, when I decide to actually write out my thoughts,

I stick to the guidelines of informational or inspirational.

I’m not quite sure where this post will fit … maybe I will need to add a new category for it to fall under …”contemplative ramblings”

So yesterday, my beautiful, lovely, amazing little sister, who is expecting her firstborn son, came over and I thought I’d do some maternity photos for her.

We had both seen, and loved some pretty amazing pregnant momma photos online –

particularly ones where the women were  mostly nude, draped with elaborate pieces of fabric in amazing settings, where it seemed as though the weather and the wind was blowing perfectly etc etc.

Sure, sis, let’s give it a go!

 I wrapped her up, created a sheer, neutral dress out of some lovely fabric & she looked awesome… I proceeded to snap a few photos…

okay hmm.. noo… let’s try this… no… okay…my face not exuding contentment.

Here I am, I have a perfect model got the props got a cool setting… Thinking, sure, I can make it happen … But I’m looking at my camera and thinking…this… this I don’t like.

So here was my AH-HA moment.

I can love and admire other work I see online but at the same time realize that  it’s “just not me or my style.”

It works for other artists who have that particular vision. 

What’s the point of creating something that isn’t genuine to me –

something that doesn’t resonate with me or my subjects in the photos, or to even my viewers.

I believe that the artist and their personality is seen through the work they produce.

Their styles vary just like personalities… whatever they may be…

timid, confident, moody, happy, dramatic, loud, soft, whimsical, rustic, polished, quirky, distinguished….

What essentially sets you apart?

Perhaps I use entirely too much of the right side of my brain and this is all a bunch of glittery nonsense…

It’s just pictures right???

Well, that’s where I very well may be, a touch crazy and say I don’t want to create just more pictures.

Give me visions that sing to me… Give me more.

  So, how do you, FIND YOU, how do you FIND YOUR STYLE?

How do you incorporate YOU in your work?

Who.

ARE.

Y-O-U?

Let’s go shopping. We are at the mall now – your favorite store.

Some things you know right away you LOVE… others you hate – but you decide to try it on and hey – wow, you kind of like it after all….

or maybe the opposite – there is something you think you will love and – ew- try it on and it’s ALL sorts of wrong.

Your artistic vision should, in my minds eye, line up with who you are as a person in general-

your personality, your beliefs, your view of life, of love… if it’s YOU it’s bound to come through the work…so don’t fight it!

Part of finding “who YOU are” as an artist, like clothes shopping,

requires trying and experimenting and of course failing…

but if by failing you get to experience an amazing AH-HA moment, then perhaps failing isn’t really failing at all…

but learning and growing.

As I stand there staring at her a few seconds in some kind of discontentment,

she begins to wonder what I’m thinking and quickly asks if there is something in her hair or teeth…or what’s wrong?!

I assured her she looked beautiful and it was absolutely nothing wrong with what she was doing,

but that this whole thing, this whole set up we have going on here, it wasn’t working, I wasn’t feeling the vibe and…. I’m sorry but… “it just wasn’t me.”

 Luckily, Hollie, being the fabulous sister she is, will go along with whatever- and she quickly says “Well let’s change it! Let’s do whatever you want!”

What happened next just felt right. We pulled some clothes from my closet, went out to the hillside and got these photos in a matter of 15 min.

It was easy to me – came natural, no struggle -I was sure I liked what I was creating and I was able to assure Hollie she was doing just perfectly without any hesitation in my voice.

We both loved the outcome.

I know that my work won’t jive with everyone – and I am so 100% positively okay with that.

There is someone for everyone – you have to find a photographer whose vision pulls you in.

I’ve found more of my voice over the years and it’s easier to stay on my course now-

but it doesn’t mean I won’t try new things.

Bottom line try different things, experiment, fail,  learn and continue to grow.

When you get out and expand your mind, and you actually do try things that you wouldn’t normally -your vision of what you do and don’t like will become clearer and your voice as an artist will sing.

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xoxo ~Heidi