Creating Together

Among the vast amount of photography related knowledge I have been consuming like a starved animal, one piece of advice keeps rising to the surface; create together.

It does not matter if you are shooting with a professional model, or a graduating high school student - create together! Include your subject in your creative process, develop the concepts and ideas alongside them before you shoot, and while you shoot!

Maybe this feels obvious to some or most, but even just a reminder to do this can help anyone of us.

When you pick up your camera, and point it at someone, you are including them in the creative process. Their input matters, no matter how small, or subtle.

In just one short year of shooting, I have had countless scenarios where a model has asked something like, “hey, what if I wore my yellow raincoat?” or “what if I stood in front of the light?” At first, these types of questions bothered me. I almost took it personally, like they did not trust my personal creative process. But it is not about “us” the photographer, but rather the relationship that is formed between the photographer and the subject.

We need each other for creativity to thrive. We as photographers should NEVER let our egos reach a point of thinking we are above the creative input of others. That thought defies the creative culture, and ecosystem that art needs to live.

So create together. Find subjects who challenge your preferred style with some wild concepts, or unfamiliar locations. I bet you will be surprised at the growth you find yourself undergoing as a result.

If you would like to create with me, book your photoshoot today.