by DeAnn Payne | Guest contributor
If you tell me you have cherished every moment that you’ve been doing photography I would be inclined to call you a fibber! We start doing photography with the romantic notion that we will always spend most of our time behind the camera.
We all have a different story of how our love affair with photography started. For some it started when they wanted to capture their children’s lives, for others it’s a way of natural artistic expression. For me it was dressing up my friends when we were 13 year-olds and having them pose. I love(ed) that I could freeze a moment forever, I loved that when I am behind the camera worries fade and I am truly living in the moment. I am sure many of you would site similar reasons if not some of the same reasons. That’s where it began for me and I have nurtured this passion over the years and it has been sustained by my deep and abiding love for capturing life.
We start out naive to all that goes into photography. Whether you make a business out of it or not, when we start out we think that we will only be behind the camera, which is a very whimsical and romantic view. However we find ourselves spending countless hours learning software and using it, social networking, seeking learning, seeking inspiration, growing tempered by our self-doubts. Truly the list goes on. When I find myself weighed down by all the other “non behind the camera” stuff I realize what I need is to break free from it all and take the time to remember what drew me to photography in the first place. That’s when the magic happens. Worries slip away and I am fully present in the now, being and capturing.
Here are 3 ways I have learned to let go and just enjoy photography.
1. Keep it simple. Find the beauty where you are. I love to take my very cute and willing little girl outside to “play”, my kind of playing! I always come away feeling refreshed. The first three photos in this article were taken in my yard when I needed to let go for a bit. You won’t always be able to leave to get away but, being behind the camera taking photos is getting away even if you haven’t really left anywhere.
2. Enter photography contests. Simply because it makes me work within certain guidelines which in many ways is more freeing then to be free to do whatever you want, which can be overwhelming. You may be scratching your head at this, but try it! You’ll see! You will also lean a ton entering photo contests. Here a a few photos I have taken for entries in contests.
3. Go on a what I call a “photo adventure” with a fellow photographer. Pick a place within a two hour drive, enjoy the company and new sights. You get to step out of the norm and take photos just for pure enjoyment. Being in a new place with the sole intent of enjoying it through your camera is so refreshing.
Do these three things and they will keep you from falling out of love with photography.
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DeAnn is a photographer and is passionate about finding ways to give back using her talents and helping others to do it too. She founded The SIP Project with this very purpose in mind. You will always find her coming up with ideas, creating, and taking pictures, but she knows her most important roles are that of mother and wife. Be sure and look her up on FaceBook, and Instagram.
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