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The vulnerable side of my artistic journey …

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 Posted inARTISTIC INSPIRATION,CHATTY TUESDAYS,PERSONAL

A few days ago I received an email from a photographer named Ali.

She opened her heart to me and shared her problems with me, asking for advice.

What I realised through reading her  email is that I was going through the exact same thing... We both feel “stuck” in our personal photography journeys.

Forget the business side for just one moment, because we all know that there is so much more to being a photographer than taking photos for other people – taking photos for yourself.

I used to be the queen of taking photos just for me. Now? It’s literally been months since my last personal photo shoot, and a year since I’ve really been committed to my personal portfolio.

When was the last time you took a photo just for you?

Hear what I have to say on the subject in this week’s vulnerable Chatty Tuesday video:

I can’t wait to hear all about YOUR journey in photography below, and any remedies you have to feeling “STUCK”!

Big hugs and love

xoxo

Posted inARTISTIC INSPIRATION,CHATTY TUESDAYS,PERSONAL

  • http://www.gravitando.wordpress.com Natalia

    What a great video,and important topic. Sometimes I think it comes like waves, some days there are so many ideas you can’t sleep, and then days where you can’t even figure out why you do, what you do.

    It’s part of the process, and it can be so hard to connect with our creativity.

    I spent 2 months without working at all, I seriously thought about stopping and was so depressed, that’s when I saw I had a problem, what helped me was to take a “vacation” but from my own mind, I spent days finding myself again, reading,sketching, making lists of dreams,goals,things I could do without any pressure,I started meditation (if you don’t know how there are guided meditations online) and it made a big difference to clear my mind and not add so much pressure to myself, and start my mornings that way.

    Little by little, don’t think about what you are not doing, think about what you have done, and what you could do, write down any idea, as silly as it might seem, if you are blank, books! museums, other media that is not your own.

    This got long! anyways good luck to all of you feeling stuck! Remember we have to take care of ourselves and not make our business our whole life, if we are well and happy, motivation and ideas will come alone.

    -Nat

  • http://www.alibeephotography.com Ali (Ali Bee Photography)

    Great video, Alex! So glad my email inspired you to make a Chatty Tuesday video on it. But I think this happens to so many artists, so I hope this video really helps everyone out.

    I love what Natalia says about taking a little vacation for yourself and exploring. Write lists of your dreams and goals. Sketch. Paint. Do other things that you love. I think eventually photography will always come back to you if it’s your true passion.

    Again, love the video and can’t wait to share it on my Facebook page!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauren0293photography/ Lauren

    About a month ago I was feeling like this. I hadn’t taken personal photos in months and I was so sad because I just didn’t have the motivation to do anything. One day I finally got up and was like, you know what? I’m just gonna go with it. The picture I took that day ended up being my first explored photograph on Flickr and it was on the front page! I am no longer in my slump and I recently started a 52 week diary :) Taking pictures for yourself and really creating something for yourself makes you feel so much better. You just have to get up and do it! I think starting a 52 week diary or doing a 365 project really forces you to make time for taking personal photos.

  • https://www.facebook.com/jessreneephoto Jessica (Jessica Renee Photography)

    This really hit home for me. I’ve felt like this a couple times in my life.

    The biggest, most life-changing instance was when I was still in art school studying photography. I went through a stage where my passion seemed to dull down to just… assignments and grades. I stopped doing any kind of personal photography that wasn’t related to school, because I was just so busy and stressed out. Either I felt guilty about doing something so “frivolous” as a personal project when I felt like I needed to be working on a school project, or I just felt burnt out by the end of the day and wanted to take a break from the camera. Usually, it was a mixture of both. It wasn’t until I recognized that the flame that is my passion for my art was sputtering and dwindling that I realized how important it is to keep up personal work. Without taking the time to do things for me, it was hard to stay inspired and in love with it.

    I thought of it kind of like a date night for me and photography, haha. Sure, life gets busy and crazy, and sometimes you fall into a blah routine, but if you want to keep the spark alive, you have to take some “you” time and ignite that fire again! It’s not selfish, it’s necessary. :) Now, I try to schedule regular personal shoots fairly often, especially when I feel the routine and the “blah” set in. They don’t always need to be a big production (date night doesn’t always need to be a five course meal at a fancy restaurant), but sometimes just taking an hour to go have fun with your artistic love and remember why you’re in this business to begin with, can be enough.

    And sometimes, they’re big productions like I’m working on right now. haha! I do love me an elaborate photo shoot! :)

    Wow, this got really long! It kind of just poured out of me when I started writing. Anyway… Thank you so much for this inspirational video, Alex. It takes a lot to put yourself out there, and be vulnerable, and I think you are a beautiful and courageous person for doing so. Thank you for continuing to be an inspiration yourself!

    -Jess

  • http://www.shadylaneblog.com Shaina Longstreet

    When I was doing my 52weeks project back in 2010 I was so inspired and motivated and I think it had a lot to do with the routine of it, like you mentioned in your video. But its been so long since I created art like that for myself and I almost feel like that was a different version of myself. But I miss her, and I appreciate your encouragement to get back on the horse. I’ll be looking for ways to get unstuck too. Glad we’re all in this together. :)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartsunnydays/ Cherree

    Great inspiration for the rest of us, Alex.

    Sorry for the kind of off topic comment, but your one tiny sentence of “I just finished B School” sent me on a whirlwind tour of signing up to newsletters, reading new business blogs and not sleeping until 2.30AM when I had to wake up at 4 hours later! That Marie Forleo, she sure knows her stuff… but I can’t afford it, I think I’ll be sticking with the free videos until I hit the jackpot!

  • http://www.katerobinsonphotography.com Kate Robinson

    Awesome video Alex! Great reminder. Love your chatty Tuesday’s! Xx

  • http://www.libertyedwardsphotographer.com Liberty Edwards

    Hi Alex,

    I currently have an 22 month old at home with me all the time and a 6 year old at school. I am trying my best to run two different businesses (photographer and itWorks!) but I do not find a lot of time for myself or to shoot personal stuff. In fact, at this time I don’t really have time to post this lol. UGH