So we're back in town. We went to Vegas this weekend for my all day SHOOTSHOP by these guys, Nate and Jaclyn of The Image is Found. They're the ones on the left. Wow...... I mean wow. I'm not sure what I felt more of.... intimidation or inspiration. They are unique. AMAZING--- and unique. Can you tell? This is the photo they have in their "about us" section... they call it jowling? It gives me a headache just imagining shaking my head like that.So they offer these "shootshops" for photographers. It's an all day experience,--- like 9 am to 10 pm after dinner. And the day flew by. I went back and forth between rapidly taking notes and just listening and trying to absorb everything. There were 25 of us in a hotel suite at the Mandalay Bay gathered around listening to the couple talk about photography, business ideas... tons of resources, post processing... and lots more. We went out to some rain ditch on the side of the freeway and watched the magic while they shot some lucky couple-- and turned two kids against a concrete wall into art. Seriously. I thought there'd be more magic in the post-processing... but we watched as he uploaded them to the big screen tv and they were already BEAUTIFUL--- straight out of the camera and beautiful. Dangit.
So I'm SOOO glad I went. And I've never felt so inspired. So inspired and challenged to push myself and be creative and unique. I absolutely love what these two do. They shoot mostly weddings and engaged couples, so it's already different than most of what I've done--- but they just make every shot INTERESTING--- every wedding looks like the best party ever and every couple looks so ALIVE. Clearly it's something they're doing. I got to witness them first hand and pick their brains... which was JUST as amazing as I'd hoped.
But I've never felt quite so overwhelmed by photography either. These two are young-- like my age, but they started right out of high school and went through their cheesy phase in the beginning, for like a second, and are now doing anything BUT following the latest trend out there. They take pride in finding new ideas everywhere they go and really stretching their creativity. They were super photo-snobs--- in a good way. Like I knew they would be. Irritated by all of the "momtographers out there imitating each other through blogs etc.... pretty much me. Luckily I'd gotten that vibe from experienced photographers before (like Nicole Gerulat via a friend's blog ... remember that Denae? I was so heart-broken at first!) and felt ready for it so it didn't hurt my feelings this time... well not as bad... :) But I was grateful for the motivation to challenge myself creatively, but I still couldn't help but feel a little bit like throwing my camera bag in the ditch and running far far away. "I stink! Forget it! I'll never be able to wear dark-rimmed glasses and tiny skinny jeans and have everything I do scream RAD."
But I didn't. I decided I'd give myself a couple of days to let it all soak in and wallow in my self-pity for being such a tiny, insignificant fish in that big pond at Mandalay Bay---- and then.... and THEN I'd start putting it to work. Wish me luck.
11 comments:
welcome back. that photo is flipping awesome!!
so as one "artist" to another and as a wedding industry member I have 2 things to say...
1) I totally feel like that ALL the time, like "what the heck am I doing thinking I can be as good of a floral designer as that designer over there?" I have self doubt all the time.
2) I checked out their website and your stuff is just as GOOD as theirs, honestly! I love your style and the freshness of every picture you take.
Keep up the good work and the awesome pics :)
I completely 3rd the other peoples sentiments. And besides, life would be so boring if we knew everything already. Part of the fun of the journey are the ups and downs of learning. You are wonderfully wonderful to me! By-the-way, I just finally looked at the pictures you took for me with my camera at Will's b-day and, of course, they are super cute! Thanks so much! And thanks for covering today! Love you cutie-
Wow, what a photo. :-D I think the feeling you described is healthy and inspiring. Every now and then you need that feeling to challenge yourself and to create something completely new.
girl, you're great, no worries.
remember my post about wanting to go back to a time when you COULDN'T, with a simple click (and click and click) of a mouse, compare yourself with thousands of others? I think you should realize that people love YOUR stuff, YOUR style. so just keep up the good work. :)
Im so glad you got so much out of that class! That is awesome.
I learned in art that your style and instinct is very unique and personal... and always right. We can't try to paint, or photograph, in someone else's style, only be inspired by them and use that inspiration to enhance our own unique style.
Your style and instinct are amazing, BTW!
I tried to text you on Saturday but someone called in right when I was ready to send and it was gone and I'm too slow in texting that I just said, "forget it". So I'm happy to read that it was a super weekend and you weren't bored. Overwhelmed? Well, I guess that's the other end of the spectrum. Love YOUR style and it will be fun to add few other things to that. Glad it was worth the money and time. Thinking of you and THOUGHT of you. I've gotta get better at texting!
PS I had to laugh because when I saw this photo, I thought it was a spoof of the Oscars. Hee. Hee. I've been looking at too many Oscar pictures.
Lillie you are an inspiration to me! I agree that there are a lot of momtographers out there... trying to take better pictures and learn a new skill. I think that's great... but you have taken it to a whole new level and for that I applaud you. I think it's too bad that 'photo snobs' as you call them get annoyed that others are interested in learning the art of photography. I think if someone is just doing it because everyone else is doing it, the passion for it might not be there and it won't stick... I love your style and I think your photos are unique. I love what Rachelle said about the fun of learning new things. I have always had a passion for photography, and I know that it will take me a LONG time to be as good as I want to be, but I've loved each step. I know how it feels to get overwhelmed! It's hard to just take it step by step... I want to know it all now! That's so cool that you got the opportunity to attend this great class. I checked out their website. I really liked the class I went to with Rachelle and Alysa... definitely beginner, but it gave me a lot to think about and a good place to start.
SHAKE FACE photos are AWESOME!!!!! Oh I love them so much!!
I was going to email you today and ask how it went. I know the feelings you're having EXACTLY! Sometimes I just want to quit too. But in the end if you're happy and LOVE what you're producing then that is all that matters. And you're doing awesome Lillie!
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