It’s easy to say to yourself, ‘well if I was in some exotic location – I’d be able to take good photos too’ – but if that were the case all tourists would come back with amazing photos taken with their point-and-shoots set on auto. Sure, having interesting subjects and exotic locations can make things easier, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to work hard for your photos.
Whether it’s negotiating with a couple about setting aside photography time on their wedding day, or learning enough of the local language to communicate – if you don’t come back with good photos then you’re the only one to blame. Either you didn’t do the required preparation, or you simply didn’t do what it took and now you’re making excuses and blaming your subjects for not cooperating.
I regularly hear excuses about why a person didn’t get this shot, that shot, or those shots. When I had lunch with Jenna before she left for Nicaragua, the only thing I really said to her was not to come back with a bag full of excuses about the shots she didn’t get. – Mark
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– Posted by Jenna
Ever since finishing my Internship with Leah and Mark, I have been solely responsible for my photography moving forward. In the three months I spent working with the team, I was constantly presented with opportunities and challenges. Now it is up to me to examine the way I do things and ensure that I am always progressing.
My love for photography started years ago when I began traveling. Since then I have photographed people and environments throughout Africa, Europe, and South America. With the scenery and culture constantly changing, it would be easy to simply rely on an interesting subject to make an interesting photograph. Before my trip to Nicaragua this summer, I decided to challenge that – I was going to be intentional, be present, be different.
Be intentional. Just as I choose every day to “live my life on purpose,” I aim to take photographs with a purpose. I make conscious and deliberate choices – never allowing myself to go into auto-pilot. When I notice that I’m getting obvious shots, I move my feet and challenge myself to create a powerful composition. When I realize that I’m simply making a well-exposed shot, I examine the light and consider how I can work with it in an interesting way. To move forward, its not enough to make consistently good shots – you must make intentional photographs that are powerful and interesting.
Be present. Before I ever look through my viewfinder, I feel like I owe my subject, the environment, and the moment my best and fullest attention. Being completely present in the moment is the only way to truly experience it and hope to capture the true essence in a photograph. Giving half of your attention or effort, does not activate your fullest potential. To move forward, you can’t risk what you may miss but I not being completely present.
Be different. The hardest person to be different from is yourself. I’m often reminded of the quote, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” It holds true with photography. If you fall into the same habits, you’ll take the same photographs (just substitute different people or different backgrounds). To move forward, you have to push beyond your comfort zone, overcome your fear, and try something new.
Looking back on my photographs from my trip to Nicaragua, I can truly tell the difference from my previous trips. I can tell that my lighting and my composition is more intentional. There is a stronger connection with the people in my photographs because I was willing to be completely present and give them my full attention. Overall, they are different. I stepped outside my comfort zone and my safe shots, to create something new and move forward with my photography.
There is still so much to learn and so much growing to do. There is a tension that comes with never reaching that presumed final destination of being a successful photographer. I’m going to choose to embrace that tension and let it propel me and move me forward though. I hope I never get to a point where I think I’ve reached the destination, I hope I can simply continue to learn, grow, and enjoy the journey.
– Posted by Jenna
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