Why photography?

Today I was thinking about what to blog about. Even though I posted two entries last week I’m still going to add one for this week. I thought I’d share my thoughts about why I’ve decided on photography as a career. I think it’s about the creativity. When I was young I liked to write short stories. I enjoyed the creative process and found it satisfying. In writing, I’d come up with concept. I’d figure out what the story would be about then as I was writing I’d figure out the details.

When I started taking pictures I found I could do the same thing. I’d come up with an idea for a photo, then put all pieces together to get the final image. In portraiture, I call this Conceptual Portraits. I start with an idea of what I’m (or my client) is looking for then select the right set/location, props, and other factors that bring the image to life.

Below is an example of what I consider a Conceptual Portrait.

Thinking about portraits got me thinking about the first portrait I ever shot. I quickly remembered the photo I shot one summer morning years and years ago. I had recently been given my first camera, a Polaroid Swinger, for my 10th birthday. My parents gave me the camera along with several rolls of film. During the first day, I think I burned thru most of the film. My parents were mortified, thinking the film would last me several weeks. While I shot photos of my friends, neighbors, and just about everything else, none were what I would consider a portrait. Only one photo stands out from all those photos. It is a portrait of my friend Mike, his sister Diane, and his mother Carol. It is a deer-in-the-headlights kind of portrait, but it has a certain compelling quality to it. One reason I like it is that captures a certain moment in time. In its essence it represents the thing about photography that no other medium can capture.

So, I guess I rambled a bit and I appreciate your patience in reading this. Hopefully I’ll see ya next week!