From the Real World to Photography

I had an inspiring Saturday at a photography seminar organized by Barry J Brady's Institute of Digital Photography. I had learned about the seminar through his Meetup groups and was intrigued by the speakers that were going to be presenting; David duChemin, Dan Carr, Corwin Heibert, and Barry J Brady himself. I was also interested in the topic these gents were going to be speaking about; How to take the leap from the real world to photography. 

I've been a designer for many years and while I enjoy expressing a message through visual problem solving for a client with specific needs and wants, there is a huge part of my heart and soul that has a burning passion for photography. Growing up having a dad that loved photography, I was exposed to it at a young age and grew up always having an interest in it. With him being passed away now, I can't help but wonder if that's one of the reasons why I have such an emotional connection to the photographic world more-so now than ever.

The other part might be the fact I don't do it for a pay cheque or to meet a clients needs. I photograph for the pure joy of it. I love taking a well known subject or place and turning it on its head to show the audience a different perspective. I enjoy telling a story through a photo, just as much (if not more) than I do through a logo or type. I am uninhibited in this sense and all I'm really after when I shoot a photo is to grab one that captures the 'feeling' of that moment.

That's not to say that if this ever turns into a career for me that it will be sunshine and rainbows. I have no doubt it too has it's fair share of clients, deadlines, and creative blocks. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that one has to pursue a career with heart. You have to be able to be alone with it and nurture it when it's not serving a function. And while I have dabbled in some personal 'design' projects, I tend to be all about the client a lot of the time which can sometimes drain my creative energy. Photography seems to revive me in this way.

As David duChemin states in his book "The Print and The Process", 'pursuing personal projects several times a year is what keeps us sane, stirs the paint, and allows us to give our best to our clients.' I think that rings true for anyone in a creative role. You have to feed your creative beast as much as your feed your clients or you really won't have much to give.

The question on my mind is whether or not photography will continue to be a passionate hobby (a personal project to feed the creative beast) or will it become a new avenue I pursue? One can never tell where life's path will take you and now that David has a copy of my travel book, we will see what comes to light and if I have what it takes to turn this into something more.