Alyice on March 20th, 2008

A Photographic Style

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Aside from the fact that the Bell’s Palsy has made my eye see blurred and fuzzy images, thus making it difficult to pursue photography at this time, I’ve come to realize something that’s been holding me back—thanks to Anne Geddes’ new book, A Labor Of Love. And that’s the fact that I don’t’ really know what I want to specialize in when it comes to photography and that makes it difficult to get out there and market.

It’s very much like the life of an artist. An artist must first define his (or her) work and then set himself apart from other artists. He must show—through his art—what makes him different, special, and distinct. He must give his clients a reason to choose his work over that of other artists, or to choose his work to complement the works of other artists already purchased. And right now, I can honestly say that I don’t have such a direction for my photography.

Sure I know that I want my photography to help record and preserve history at both an affordable and profitable price. I also know that I want to capture real life and real moments in time and that I don’t want to work with people who want digital plastic surgery just to make themselves look better. I know that I want to work with people who like themselves for who they are inside and want that inner beauty to be portrayed in their photographs—minor touch-ups okay. And finally, I know that I wouldn’t mind using a little Anne Geddes magic in my photographs. But beyond that, I have nothing. I don’t yet have a style to call my own.

Early on Geddes discovered that “…every photographer needs to have their own individual style, a sense that you can do it your own unique way….” and she knew that it would “take years to develop”. But that did not stop her from owning her own photography business. She cultivated her style while working as a portraiture photographer. And today, she’s living her dream as a renowned baby photographer.

Reading A Labor Of Love. was a truly inspirational and motivational experience because it allowed me to see where Geddes came from and how she got to where she is today. It showed me that one can begin a photography business without yet having one’s own distinct style and that one can grow into that style over time. And it made me realize how vitally important it is to stay true to one’s self; for only then can real success take place—whether that success is monetary or otherwise.

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Tina L. Miller says:

What an inspirational post! And encouraging. It gives one hope to keep on keeping on even as we find ourselves and develop our own individual style. And after all, that IS a process. It’s the journey, not the destination. And isn’t that really what life is all about? The journey, that is!

Tina
Posted at 3:04 pm March 20th, 2008