New photo project
Well, it's been a while since I wrote. I've been busy trying to clear out project after project that I said I'd do and haven't been able to get to.
Work is finally slowing down, and we aren't working the long hours we had been. It's still a grind, though. I need more creative work during the day. Trying to be creative at night and weekends just doesn't work for someone who actually wants to see their family.
I just finished up shooting what will probably be my last wedding. I've just decided that I'm not cut out for wedding photography. I think I enjoy just taking pictures without the pressure of having to "get the shot". I used to think I'd love being a wedding photographer, but the nervousness and anxiety I have before, during, and after a wedding just make it no fun. I'm a wreck bascially until the bride see's the photos and approves them. Up until that point, I second guess myself, worry that my pictures aren't good enough, or that I missed something, or they won't be what the clients wanted. That's when "art" turns into "work" for me, and I want to get back into the "art" of it.
I'm not closing up shop completely. I'm going to work on more studio-type work, portraits, and just shooting for fun. I've got an idea for a small project for myself that I'm going to do in a couple weeks when I got visit Lauren's family in Ohio. I'm going to drive up to Cleveland and go to the lake in search of boats. I want to take a series of close up shots of boat parts - sailboats if possible, but any boat I can get close to will work. I want to crop these parts closely and make a series of maybe 4 or 6 4x4" or 6x6" prints to frame and mount.
I've been thinking a lot about the sea lately, and about Maine. I miss it. I'm hoping this project will render a few photographs to put in my office that will remind me about sailing and boats, and life outside the 4 grey walls I sit in 40+ hours a week.
Work is finally slowing down, and we aren't working the long hours we had been. It's still a grind, though. I need more creative work during the day. Trying to be creative at night and weekends just doesn't work for someone who actually wants to see their family.
I just finished up shooting what will probably be my last wedding. I've just decided that I'm not cut out for wedding photography. I think I enjoy just taking pictures without the pressure of having to "get the shot". I used to think I'd love being a wedding photographer, but the nervousness and anxiety I have before, during, and after a wedding just make it no fun. I'm a wreck bascially until the bride see's the photos and approves them. Up until that point, I second guess myself, worry that my pictures aren't good enough, or that I missed something, or they won't be what the clients wanted. That's when "art" turns into "work" for me, and I want to get back into the "art" of it.
I'm not closing up shop completely. I'm going to work on more studio-type work, portraits, and just shooting for fun. I've got an idea for a small project for myself that I'm going to do in a couple weeks when I got visit Lauren's family in Ohio. I'm going to drive up to Cleveland and go to the lake in search of boats. I want to take a series of close up shots of boat parts - sailboats if possible, but any boat I can get close to will work. I want to crop these parts closely and make a series of maybe 4 or 6 4x4" or 6x6" prints to frame and mount.
I've been thinking a lot about the sea lately, and about Maine. I miss it. I'm hoping this project will render a few photographs to put in my office that will remind me about sailing and boats, and life outside the 4 grey walls I sit in 40+ hours a week.
posted by MadFlyTom at 11:04 AM
1 Comments:
You're right - when your passion starts to feel like "work", it's just not right anymore. Glad that it is something that you tried and found out though. Just so you know... Matt & I LOVE our wedding pictures! You definitely did a great job and I have many that are favorites - including what I thought was sure to be a double chin shot. Glad to hear that you will still be doing studio work and portraits though so we can still have you as a photographer for other life events when they occur :)
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