come together

I've been taking pictures for a long time, but it wasn't until I found the film community that I'm currently part of that I truly felt that I'd found my tribe. I have very close photographer friends here that are local to me, and I'd be lost without them, but within my group of film friends I know I can go with any question, no matter how dumb (or how often it's been asked!). I know I can dip a toe in a new style or technique and be lifted up with love and support. I know I can chat (ad nauseum) about the merits of different film stocks, shooting styles, cameras and metering modes.

It's a beautiful thing.

So yesterday, my friend Lea from Love Me Simply Photography asked one of my groups, What do you do when you're in a funk? She'd been feeling stuck lately, and even with some unexpected free time, she wasn't inspired to press the shutter. Several of us chimed in with the various ways we all get un-stuck (because let's face it, getting stuck happens to everyone!), and she has compiled those brilliant ideas into a wonderful blog post filled with inspiration and tips just the push you need to get you going.

As you know, I have opinions. I encourage you to check it out here, to see what thoughts I have on the subject, as well as the thoughts of some brilliant creative people who are way smarter than I am.

one kid, one roll, on film :: june

Because I even love the out of focus ones...

We headed to the mountains as a late birthday gift for me last month. It was pretty much the best present ever. I grew up near the Great Smoky Mountains, and here, in Coastal Virginia, the topography doesn't bump or ridge much above 9 feet above sea level. We're flat landers now. I'll do a post on that trip soon since I have lots of photos to share.

These One Kid posts have grown to become as much about my photographic journey as they have about Cal, and as I look at them and love these shots, I see so much truth in myself as a photographer. When you first start to take photography seriously, and I see this in my students all the time, there's a push to consider going "pro." And if not going pro necessarily, then specializing. Finding your niche. Weddings. Boudoir. Newborns. Family. Street. Food. Still Life. Landscape. There's a tendency to want to do it all. So many things to try.

I could write a million posts about my journey, my continuing journey to find my voice, and someday I will, but when I look these shots I think specifically about the difference between lifestyle photography and portraiture. I love lifestyle photography. Capturing a family or a people in real, seeming unscripted moments. Do I love shooting it? Not as much.

I knew over the course of this yearlong project I wanted a more unscripted month where I caught Cal being Cal, but the truth is, I feel like I enjoy the process more and really capture him best when I'm shooting true portraits. Go figure! Am I glad I have these? Heck yes! Will I do it again? Probably. The year is long, after all. But boy, I learned something big this month.

I've been intrigued by portraiture for awhile, and I think about dipping in a toe, but how? I'm awkward and shy! I know I'll rely on my army of film shooters to guide me and my favorite subject to keep practicing on.

The deets: Kodak Portra 160, shot on a 35 mm Canon Elan7. Developed and scanned by the FIND Lab.

Our circle grows more amazing each month, and after me you can find the lovely Tricia Boutelle, Lifestyle and Photography. She has a daughter the same age as Cal, and I just love that!