Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What's Your Style?

by Leigh



Have you ever been asked what your photography style is?  It's a hard question to answer.  I've always said that it's candidly casual, but in all actuality I'm not sure what my style is.  And to be honest, I don't think we really need to fit ourselves into one category.  There are themes and subjects that reappear often in my photography and perhaps that is indicative of a style.  There are always shots of my kids because they are my willing (quickly becoming unwilling) subjects and nature is my other favorite subject, but often times a favorite photograph surprises me because it doesn't seem to be my usual perspective or subject.  Perhaps it's processed in a totally new way.  Sometimes those favorites shots capture a moment in time where everything falls together for a beautiful photograph.  It just happens without a lot of preparation or forethought. Those are the moments that are meant to be captured. 

Photography teaches us to slow down and take notice of what is happening around us.  I always try to be present in the moment when I'm outside with my camera.  If there is one thing that I have learned over the last few years is that is less about trying to fit yourself into one mold and more about how photography makes you feel.  The time I spend going on a photowalk is my time.  It feeds my soul and makes me happy.  Photography is something that is for me.  We all do so much for others and we need to find that thing....that passion that is just for us.  We should worry less about trying to fit into a style and enjoy shooting with wild abandon. You might be surprised at what you find out about yourself and your photography.


8 comments:

Dotti said...

It's easier, I think, to spot another photographer's "style" than to identify your own. Your photos, Leigh, always tell me that you've used the light to its best advantage and I love the photos here. They do just that. But the larger point is that we should just do what feels good and right to us. And, yes, our photography time is definitely part of our self-care routine.

heyjudephotography said...

I had a conversation recently with a former photography teacher talking about this exact thing - style. We agreed - you need to simply shoot what you love, what has drawn you in. No matter whether your photo is of a child, a flower, street photography, etc....your style comes through no matter what the subject. I personally do not have just one photography niche - I shoot what I'm drawn to,for whatever reason. If we're shooting what we love the results will be beautiful - even if it's just beautiful to our own eyes.

CarolHart said...

Great post and beautiful images Leigh. I'll add my voice to the choir by saying that I have come to the conclusion that the important thing is to simply take the photos we are drawn to take. Art is in the heart of the creator of that art. There will always be those who want to label and categorize. Perhaps that is part of the human condition...a way of making sense of the world, somehow making us feel more secure. I'm with you Leigh, take pictures and create art with wild abandon. Who cares what it means or what style it is. What matters is that we feel good about it. Cheers!

terriporter said...

Ditto, ditto, ditto! Echoing all three comments above me! I used to think I needed to have a style and spent time trying to figure out what it was and then I came to the conclusion that you have -- shoot what you love. I think photography fills the need we all have to have something that is just for us, something to be passionate about. Oh, and that little girl with the incredible eyelashes? I absolutely adore that shot!

Sarah Huizenga said...

Thank you for the wise words :)

Dotti said...

Just deleted another "anonymous". I think it's high season for these guys, I've been hit a lot on my own blog, too.

Cathy H. said...

Some photographers do have a certain look or subject that I guess you could say is their style, but I don't feel we have to limit ourselves to one "style." I agree, go for it and just shoot what you love!

Cristina Dalla Valentina said...

I totally agree with you, Leigh! Sometimes I find myself influenced by the fact that I "should" find a style, or take pictures that could fall in a precise modality... and in this way all the pleasure and the focus are lost... instead, when I let myself go and I shoot for the sake of shooting, for being present in the moment and celebrating the life that surrounds me, inevitably the photos that come out reveal more of myself, and also of my "style", than those made with the "shoulds" in the background. Thanks for this liberating post!

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