These 3 words are defining my current reality.
They are born from the desire to follow my curiosities and to share that with others in hopes of creating beautiful imagery with them. A collaborative process between photographer and subject.
An exchange.
The undolding of that process, (what that looks like, how I should implement) is starting to reveal itself to me, and as I honor those baby steps, it continues to push me into MORE. More life, more meaningful relationships, more fun, more photoshoots, and definitely more LOVE!
Notice I didn't say more content, more likes, more views, more burnout, more of being what the algorithim wants from me. In the words of Amie McNee, "Social media needs artists, artists don't need social media."
Nope, I am declaring freedom from the algorithim and the fake requirements of "running a successful business" in this newish era of digital imagery consumerism. Will I still post to social media, yes, but I am not participating in the mind numbing scroll game to entertain. I want the viewer to see my images and feeeeel something, learn something, or be inspired!
It's the intention that is changing for me.
My measurement of success is so much simpler than jumping through imaginary algorithim hoops. It is quantified by intentionality, relationship, and empowerment.
I intentionally want to build my photography business with the foundation being rooted in relationship and from that relationship we can empower and affirm one another.
Can I take beautiful pictures of complete strangers, yes, of course- Is that my goal, no, it's not. I want to get to know you, and why you want/need this photoshoot. I want to hear your ideas, feel your energy, brainstorm together to come up with THE perfect way to present YOU, the real you, to the world. No matter what genre I am shooting, the root and reason for me, is relational.
This December I was approached by the lovely Elisa Trentham of Sherwood Media. A local small business leader that creates documentary - style Legacy Videos for business, nonprofits and families to honor people who have made an impact. I was mesmerized by her contagious joy she has for what she is doing. Her energy is palpable and genuine, she is absolutely lovely. Elisa expressed that she was revamping her website and wanted visual representation of her processes and a "peek behing the scenes" of what it means to be the videographer and producer. We discussed how to accomplish that with clothing, colors, who all would be present, what props that would help tell that story and we even scouted out the locations for her shoot. We also talked about our why's, (ya know, that powerful force that compels us to do the work that we do) and through this exchange we both became knowledgeable about who we were working with! As a photographer, I know it is important for me to get a feel for these things, but I have found it to be even more helpful for my subjects to know me intimately as well. It softens the awkwardness. It produces a safe and free atmosphere that allows trust in what we are BOTH creating. It is my ideas and style mixed in with your ideas and style. The outcome is true magic.
The images below only give a snippet of what we accomplished that day, but I believe you can grasp the honesty and integrity that Elisa and her business is building here in Knoxville,Tenneessee.
If you would like to see and learn more about Sherwood Media and what they have to offer, please click the link below!
If you would like to talk to me and start getting to know one another, please reach out! I am eager to meet you and to create something real with you.
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