Now i like learning stuff. Any stuff really. Im an inquisitive person, i want to know how it was done, how it was made, why it happened.
Thats a good thing right?
Its the same with my photography. I want to know. I want to make that happen. So i learn. I want to know it all.
In my relatively short photography career i’ve always try to learn from people that inspire me. The first real photography “workshop: i did was with a guy called Trey Ratcliff. Trey does HDR. . . better than anyone in the world. I wanted to know how to do that. His website Stuck in Customs can be seen here.
On that particular course i met a girl called Natalie. She blew me away with her creativity. She became Miss Aniela, a surrealist fashion photographer who has literally taken the world by storm. I wanted to know how to do the stuff she does and when she started doing workshops. . . i went. And i learnt. LOTS!
On the workshop with Natalie i met Brooke Shaden (yep another link!!) and i learnt from her too! I see photography as an ever learning beast. You never know it all. You never will. But if you keep learning or more importantly . . WANTING TO LEARN then you evolve.
As my wedding photography business started to grow i want to learn more. From the best. Anyone who can show me. Anyone who has a skill that i need. I want to know.
Then i saw Marshal Gray. And i knew this guy had it.
And i wanted to know that. How. Why even. So i went to DARE. Now Dare didn’t show me new techniques, it didn’t show me tricks or shortcuts, it didn’t teach me posing or how to be Marshal Gray or even Jerry Ghionis (who?)!! But i needed to know this stuff. Dare blew me away. It made me uncomfortable and question myself.
I loved it.
Will my wedding photography get better because of it? Hell yes. Will i get more bookings and take better pictures? I already am. So its onwards and upwards. I am learning every day. Every picture i take is taking me higher and further. Every wedding i shoot now i can see these 4 people and their influences are all around me. I am present and hungry. I want to know. I want to make the next set of wedding pictures i shoot the very best they can be. Not only for my clients (after all . . you pay the bills!) but also for Trey, Natalie, Brooke and Gary. But most of all for me.
I know my couples love their photo’s and i know they get it. They are buying a small bit of me, of my personalty and skills. I need to know that i have rocked them. Thats why i learn. Thats why i Dared.
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