Photo Fear

 

Do photographers' have a fear of being infront of the camera? I know I have it! I still cringe at the thought and run away, hiding behind other people and insisting "no no, let me take the photo instead so you can be in it!".


"Why isn't this person using a better angle?" 
"Ugh, this is my bad side." 
"PLEASE just let me take the photo myself." 
"Why aren't you turning the camera sideways to get everyone?" 
"Why didn't you zoom in more?!" 
"OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WHY ME?!" 
"Can I just photoshop myself into the group photos instead?" 


 These are all the typical thoughts that run through my head everytime I'm forced to be in front of the camera. I feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, and just weird. Is this how all my models feel when I'm taking their photo?  If so, then my bad! You learn a lot getting the perspective of both the model and the photographer.

• It's very easy to direct as a photographer
• a lot of pressure on the model to make that photo happen
• photographer's have to be comfortable with directing their model
• model's have to feel comfortable enough in front of the camera to act natural
• both sides can have high expectations of the other and for themselves

 

 However, I'm starting to let myself get used to it. When my friends use my Nikon, or when they have their camera's out, I'll allow them to photograph me IF I'm in the photo with someone else. Old habits die hard though, and I still find myself covering my face, and suddenly turning away quickly from the lens. But, I guess everyone should take a chance~ If I can, I bet you can too! =D After all, with friends, it's better than an intimidating one-on-one, and it can bring out the best in you, smiles and all.

Memories

“If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.” – Linda McCartney 

I'm trying to keep all of the precious moments I encounter in my life. No, they don't need to be picture perfect, I just simply want to remember them. I was going through a bunch of my photo's today since they've been tucked and hidden away. I couldn't let that be any longer. I sat down and went through my memories. It was one of the best time's in my life, reliving a million memories.  

Memories are a big reason why I even started indulging into the beautiful art that is photography. There is no such thing as having TOO many photo's and if there is, then I'm guilty as charged! I realized that at one point in my life, I won't be able to remember everything that has happened in my life. I wanted to start documenting it now, so I have plenty to look back on, and also have some helpful reminders of those days that made me smile.

Every day is an adventure if you let it be one. Appreciate the little things. Never say "I didn't do anything" or "nothing new happened today", because there should always be ONE highlight of your day, no matter how big or how small, as long as it's significant to YOU.

I used to be a bit ashamed when going through my hard drive and looking at all the photo's I took, most that other people would give me the weirdest look and ask "why did you take a photo of that?". But, now I could really care less. I want to see the progress of what catches my eye and makes me smile or giggle. Let's see what life has in store for the rest of my life. I'm not going to regret it! Every photo you take is a single captured moment that will never change, even 100 years from now. Sure, the people will change, the setting will in reality, but never in that photo. Once you look at that photo, you can remember that beautiful day, moment, hour, minute or second, because it happened.

   

Sometime's the best moments aren't captured; some are fuzzy, some are blurry, some are abstract, but they're still there. And that's all that counts. I wouldn't trade any of it for anything in this world~

Movie Moment

 

©Bri.Photography

I’m sure you’ve all experienced that movie moment in real life, right? Where that moment feels like something directly out of a big production film, so perfect it’s almost unreal. It’s like the setting was created as a set specifically for this moment, and the cameras are secretly hidden, filming what you do, your movements, emotions and all. This is just yet another reason why I enjoy taking photo’s so much. You really never know what’s in store for you! The possibilities are endless, and that just leaves so much room for creativity, spontaneity and potential!

This is one of my favourite photos of this trio because of the natural expressions and the poster-like feel. Black and white was just a beautiful plus to give it even more sophistication~ I have the most beautiful (and handsome aha) friends in my life. I’m glad they are so willing to let me take their pictures and volunteer to let me have a couple photoshoots with them! They really aren’t afraid of my camera, so what more can I ask for?


You can check out my lovely model’s blogs too~   
Jordan: http://cestnaturel.wordpress.com/
Hamda (one on the right): https://lola455567.wordpress.com/ Lamia (one on the left): http://lazygal101.wordpress.com/

Imperfect Insecurities

Females and males all deal with it; insecurities. We aren’t perfect. We all want to be. We notice all the little things about ourselves that we assume others notice (but they don’t). We make the smallest of these things into something bigger than they are. We can name off a million things we hate about ourselves and possibly think of less than a handful of nice things we actually like about ourselves. We think that if we’re perfectly flawless we have nothing to worry about. We envy those who we think are beautiful and perfect without realizing that they too have their own insecurities.


I feel like I have super long awkward arms, legs and fingers. Anytime I see a photo of me, I sit there saying “Is that REALLY what my body looks like?!” 

 

I have THE most boniest elbows anyone has ever seen! I could most likely kill someone with these bad boys! 

 

I have THE most awkwardest smile ever. I have a fang that sticks out, and very crooked teeth. I HATE smiling in photo’s with my teeth showing, but when I don’t, I look serious. In a few months, I'll be braceface. 

 

I’m extremely tall for my age, and despite everyone telling me “I WANT TO BE TALL!”, I always say “NO YOU DO NOT!”. I don't enjoy being that tall girl because ALL of my friends are pretty much shorter than me, which I find very annoying at times. It's weird looking down on people, and having them look up to me. 

 

Like everyone else, I HATE LIFE when I get the smallest of bumps all over my face, because to me it feels like my whole face looks utterly horrendous and everyone is staring at me.     

 But guess what? I’m starting to accept it more. 

 

 I’m okay with my awkward not-so-perfect-teeth, because eventually I’ll have straight teeth. I’m learning to accept my height more (even though I’m literally a giant around a lot of my girls), because I can enjoy wearing maxi’s and dresses. I’ve learned I’ll get bumps on my face, but they always go away. I’m just starting to accept my body shape, and who I am. It’s okay to notice these things, but never dwell. 


Sure I’ll still complain, but I won’t let it bother me too much =) 


Ps. Listen to the song "Perfectly" by Selena Gomez.

Live in the Moment

 

 
Daniel: The only thing I don't like about taking pictures is that you don't get to live in the moment. Me: That's true. I like capturing the moment for others. I don't like being in front of the camera, I just can't explain it.

When my friend Daniel said this yesterday while we were pouring through hilarious beach photo's, it did make me think a bit more. He really was right. To everyone who's ever held any sort of camera-related device (filming included) at any point in their life, do you ever notice when you are capturing that moment, it's like you're basically taking it for someone else? Did you ever wish you could be in it as well, not just the nice person who offered to take the photo (ex. a group photo)?

I personally love taking photo's. I don't mind it either way, but sometime's when I go through albums, I'll realize I'm in less than a handful because I'm the one taking all the photos. When you aren't in too many of the photo's, despite everyone who was there at that occasion, it's almost like you've just disappeared. You get what I mean? It's hard because not everyone will always offer to take photo's instead, or if they aren't comfortable using a camera, then you may result in only getting several blurry photo's of yourself. Or when you are enjoying yourself off camera at an event/party/ect, but no one captures that candid moment for you, when you may be used to seeing this for others and getting it.
 
No, I'm not insulting anyone, and to any of my friends who if by chance read this, nono don't think this is directed to you! =) I'm just thinking about it and doing some self-realization~ Think about your photo's in the long run. When you look back at them, you know you'll WANT to be in some of them, so ask someone to photograph you. Or make sure you have a nice buddy photo with your friends at the end of the day.

Why? Because memories are so precious and we don't seem to remember that until the moment passes.

SO, LET'S LIVE A LITTLE! 

Stumped?

Can't create?
Writers block? 
Totally stuck? 
Given up?

You have come across what everyone experiences ... lack of creativity! You my friend, are ready to throw in the towel, frustrated at yourself, and you want to just flat out quit after you throw your work out of the window.

Well guess what? I'm telling you to STOP RIGHT THERE.
So, it happens.
Who cares?
It doesn't last FOREVER!

I know I've come to the point of typing in Google "how to stay creative". I admit it. What do I find? The SAME photo and the SAME advice. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Here's a prime example:  

Now, don't get me wrong. It is good advice, and I have used it before. But after a while it becomes uninspiring. So I'm in the works of trying to create my own personal list. (It's still unfinished)

1. Try something different. You are working with the same routine that you're used to. Spice it up!
2. Make mistakes on purpose. You can't gain anything from praise, so instead gain feedback! Compare them and learn.
3. Don't think. The more you think, the more it's planned out. A bit of spontaneity can do a world of wonders.
4. Try a new state of mind/perspective. Be more open minded. Be close minded. Think in a way that is odd to you.
5. Document everything in your surroundings. You become more overall aware of your surroundings, it'll help.
6. Reflect. What normally inspires or interests you? Why? What doesn't inspire you? How come? Answer this for yourself.
7. Be random. Being random is practically a guarantee to come up with a good idea or two. Plus, it's a great experience!
8. Take notice of the little things. Really look at your everyday lifestyle. You will see things you've never recognized.
9. Research. A bit of research makes you more knowledgeable and more wise. What have you got to lose?
10. Destroy a page in your sketchbook. If you have a sketchbook or a notebook, draw relentlessly without thinking. You can end up with a pretty wicked page.

What do you do to stay creative & motivated?

Inspiration?

"Inspiration or Desperation?"

As soon as I read this, it's been stuck in my head. It's always constantly reminding me whenever I'm doing anything art/photo-related. It’s not supposed to be easy. But, sometimes I think that’s what some people think; “Gee, if you love it, why would it be hard for you?”

That’s where you want to ask them to do what you do and see what they think. It happens with anything that you’re truly passionate about. It’s like a trial and a phase. It’s both a blessing and a curse. You sometime's NEED to hit that wall, that writers block, in order to rediscover WHY you fell in love in the first place. Understand where you came from; what your starting point was, and how to go about it. This is what I've decided to do. Start from the beginning before moving forward recklessly.


Why did I fall in love with photos? 
Why did I take photo's the way that I took them? 
What was it that made me want to pursue it?
Sometimes you do have to ask yourself,

are you getting inspired because you WANT to, or because you NEED to?  

 When we aren't careful, if desperation is knocking at our door and we answer it, then what are we left with? We're left with a routine. A lifeless, empty routine.

   

 That should be your goal! To NOT let it get to you. To avoid it. To destroy it. I want to start over with my photo's. I need to remember that I do like taking them because it's something that I enjoy, not because I feel like I HAVE to. It's hard to be inspired to take photo's and NOT be desperate about the style or it's level of originality of it. It's easy to take a pretty picture, but it's harder to make it your own. And no, I don't mean just sticking a watermark or logo on it.