I had an epiphany on the plane on the way home from Seattle.
Lunch was being served and I had the choice between steak, salmon or pasta. I was wavering between the more adventurous choice of salmon and the safe choice of pasta and finally chose the former. The flight attendants came around with the meals and I noticed that the woman in front of me got the pasta. It looked GOOD. It smelled even better! Suddenly my decision to order salmon seemed like the wrong one. When my meal arrived, it just seemed bland compared to what looked like a wonderful meal in the seat in front of me – at least from my perspective.
As I was salivating over my seat mate’s ravioli, it occurred to me that I do the exact same thing with photography. I make a choice to go in one direction, shoot a certain way, create a specific look and I’m generally happy with the results… until I happen to glance over my shoulder or at a website or on a forum and see what someone else is doing and I think to myself, “Wow, I wish I would have done that!”.
I did the same thing during the Jasmine Star workshop with CreativeLIVE. Jasmine asked each of the participants to select two photos to showcase in class (and in front of the 175,000+ people who were watching on the internet – talk about pressure!!). I agonized over which photos to choose and finally came up with two very different images that I really liked, each for a different reason.
This is the first image. I shot it from a distance with my 70-200/2.8 at ISO 400, f/4.0 and 1/320 sec. I can’t remember the last time I used a zoom to shoot a detail shot, but I really like the way this came out. I was also thrilled that the bright window light did not blow out the white & cream flowers. I achieved that by metering off the brightest spot (and getting a somewhat dark image) and then bringing up the brightness a little in Lightroom.
This is my second shot. I shot it from behind the scenes with my 14-24/2.8 at ISO 200, f/4.0 and 1/800 sec while Audrey was posing Billy & Laura. I bought the 14-24 recently and have used it maybe once or twice, but NEVER at a wedding. I was experimenting with this shot to see what I could get and then I really punched up the saturation in post to make it more dramatic. I liked the effect I was able to create.
I was proud to show this image… until I saw everyone else’s photos. As each participant’s turn came and went, I felt myself slinking lower and lower in my seat. Once I saw all the beautiful, natural-looking, romantic and classic photos from the rest of the group, I immediately wished I had chosen something else to show… something safer. The pasta choice.
But as Jasmine would say, “It is what it is”. As it came up on the screen, I found myself explaining why I liked the shot and the more I talked, the more I realized that I DID like the shot, despite it being so different from everyone else’s - or maybe because of that. Jasmine looked at the image thoughfully and asked me to think about the three words I would use to define my brand and whether or not this shot fit within those parameters. I told her, quite honestly, that I liked so many different styles, that I was having a hard time coming up with three words that made sense – and worked together. My two images were so different, they could have been shot by two different people! How would I ever come up with three cohesive words and one unified style?? The class moved on to other topics, but one question kept running through my brain: “What are my three words??”
Later, Arlene, one of the volunteers manning the CreativeLIVE chatroom, told me that my Theo Chocolate image had sparked a lot of discussion – and even went so far as to copy the chat comments into a Word document so that I could read them later. I found myself re-reading those comments as my salmon sat abandonned beside me on the plane. There was a lot of wonderful feedback (thanks internet!!!) and some people even offered up great suggestions for my three words. As I was thinking about which ones would make sense for me the woman in the seat in front of me leaned over and asked if I was going to eat my salmon. She noticed that I had not touched it and she thought it looked delicious. I laughed and told her about my ravioli envy for her plate, which she thought was quite funny. I wound up eating my salmon cold and decided that I liked it after all.
As for my three words, I am leaning towards Bold, Bright and Beautiful. Like my photography, however, my brand is still evolving and is an ongoing work in progress.
Hi,
I watched and have been watching CreativeLIVE.(so glad I purchased the event… I think I will rewatch 100x!) I decided to check out some of your blogs and I have to say that not only are your photographs beautiful but your writing also! Great, great, great job!
Hi Victoria,
Like Nicole said, many of us are in the same situation. It’s called evolving.
It is easier, mentally, to live in a bubble and ignore everything around. The learning process is much more linear but it also much slower.
As we will get more successful in our business we will let less and less influence in our work. The danger is that at one point we might stagnate and refuse to learn.
I hope that never happens to me.
Curiosity is what make us artistic.
Beautiful images and keep questioning yourself. All the time.
Motti
Thank you for being so open and honest, Victoria. I think this blog entry definitely speaks to many and I’m a part of that many.
Great post Victoria! Its great to get more of an insight into how you are developing as a photographer.
Your images are great and I fell in love with the first shot when I saw it, and the second because of the challenges you set yourself at cLIVE to try something new and different with the wider lens.
Both images are excellent and I’m liking the 3 words you chose!
All the best,
Sach
Hi there you plane demantler you ROFL
Thank you for sharing your thoughts – I love both images.
This whole 3 words thing drives me insane (actually I’m already insane) been struggling with it ever since I can remember.
I’m going back now over all of my images picking out some faves (yeah they change from week to week too)-and trying to hone it in a bit more. Was talking about all this to hubby and he asked me if there was a market for eccentric/eclectic work (ROFL).
I’m glad you ate your cold salmon- I’m glad you liked it as well
Best,
M.
Gorgeous photos Victoria! I truly love both. ~ Beautiful post, by reading it, it made me reflect on my own style.
Hugs!
So, so, so proud of you!
Victoria, Thanks once again for an insightful and heartfelt post. Your journey gives voice to a lot of us out there trying to define ourselves and discover our path. Ever since i picked up a camera last November I have been waffling back and forth as to what I want my vision and voice to be in my pictures. Just now am I starting to have some comfort around my images and know what I want to evolve into. But in everything I want it to be a reflection of me. Keep sharing Victoria, it is getting encouragement and validation to us out there.
Love your use of the 14-24. Its a lens I have been dying to try out. Definitely able to get a distinctive look with it.
Sounds familiar
Amazing that that is how we roll, isn’t it?
Love that you chose to go with what YOU really liked! Both pictures are great, bright and beautiful! And I LOVE the bold Theo one! Have fun exploring your 3 words!
I’m not sure where I first heard about the 3 words, maybe it was from Jasmine long ago…but I know it’s something I’ve always struggled with as well. I think I’ve come up with words that reflect my style, but there’s always doubt when you try something new or see something you like and wish you had created! I adore your colorful photo…maybe because that’s one of my words. =) I like your bold, bright, beautiful choice! It stands out in a sea of sameness. I love colorful photos but it seems so rare in the portrait world that sometimes I wonder if people would actually buy the images. But there’s gotta be a market for that, right? I’m enjoying watching your journey along with the rest of the Creative Live 5! =)
I love both photos! If I were a bride I would be attracted to the Theo photo for sure. Its fun, its happy and its colorful! love it!
Who would’ve thought that coming up with 3 words would be so difficult?? I’ve been struggling to find mine all week.
Victoria,
Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us! As a new photographer it is helping me to watch you all take the ideas that she gave out and continue to write about it. I am so grateful for the generosity of those who are sharing their learning. Thanks for being real with us!!
Beth
Victoria, I love your Theo shot! I love the way you processed it and think it is a stunning image. I really enjoyed reading this post. I’m not in business yet, but I’ve been trying to come up with 3 words to define my style since watching Jasmine last week. I still don’t have them yet, but loved reading your perspective on this.
Great post, Victoria!! I, too, had an epiphany on the last day of class. And believe it or not, you were even a part of it – in a connecting sort of way.
http://bunny-trails.blogspot.com/2010/08/epiphany-focus.html
I was also one of the people who raved about your shot outside of Theo on Twitter. It is beautiful! I love your other shot, as well – two completely different styles, but the angle and lines and color pop are SO fun!! I think it’s great that you did something completely outside the box from everyone else.
I’m excited for you to see how your brand takes shape going forward.
Victoria – never doubt yourself. You are one incredible photographer (and woman!) The two photos that you chose are so reflective of you – they are unique, beautiful, and look at a subject from a different perspective. These are the qualities that I admire in you, and your photography is obviously an excellent reflection of your true personality!
I must say that I am a little disappointed that you didn’t go waaay out there and just order steak ;0)
Vic, I was watching you from home along with those 174 999 other internet people and I saw that part where you put up this incredibly different shot … soooo not the “typical wedding shot” and I thought it was incredible because I can see this one framed in someone’s house and to me that is the real statement of success!
I have also been thinking of what three words you could use and I think the words you picked really capture you. I have a few more B words for you if you need them but they may not be appropriate … like.. BFF.. (what did you think I was going to write???) xoxoMel
I was so in awe of the Five’s work. All so different, but all so beautiful. It’s so important for us to do our own thing and feel confident about it. And it’s so easy to look at someone else’s work and be envious. Resist the urge! I look forward to seeing your future work and resisting the urge to be envious myself!
As a side note, both in Google Reader and on your blog (I use IE 8), the photos seem ultra grainy, like oversharpened. Just not crystal clear, detracting from the lovely composition. Most noticeable on her hand in #1 and his jacket in #2. Thought you’d want that feedback…
Good posting Victoria. Keep doing what you do. People call you for weddings for what do, not because you’re images look like that other photographer’s portfolio. Continue refining your style and make it yours.
I do the same thing… create something I love and am proud of, and then look over at someone else’s blog and think… maybe I should have tried that, or edited my photos that way. And that hasn’t been a very good thing for me, because it’s made my style so… wobbly… I guess, for lack of a better word. CreativeLIVE made me realize that has to change; that I have to embrace who I am.
I LOVED your second photo, because it was so dramatically different from everyone else’s. I loved all the photos; all 5 of you are crazy talented. But your second one was my favorite because it was so… well… bright and bold.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, uh?
I loved reading your post, it’s just so well written, and can relate to what you are saying so much – it’s just so hard to define the style that we have/want. When people tell me “I love your style”, I am like “I have a style???!”.
Eat the delicous salmon and be proud of your choices – even if you wonder about them, they are still what makes your grow.
Victoria: Jen and I [we are Nate's parents] enjoyed so much getting to “know you” through watching CreativeLive and through Nate. We have LOVED seeing your photography; you are already very talented and we predict great things for you. We especially love the photo on your website in which the couple is reflected in the table glass. And the photo above of Laura’s bouquet, set perfectly against her flowered dress, is absolutely gorgeous! Ready for a magazine! Great work . . . bold, bright, and beautiful!
Thank you for posting this! I do this too…all the time…and it’s nice to know I’m not alone.
I love this post Victoria! I admire you for being different. At the end of the day it’s what makes you happy and what you want out of life and photography. Bold, Bright, Beautiful…that is so you!
keep up the good job!
Stephanie, looks like it was a mutual-envy fest – I LOVED your two shots!! Can’t wait to see more… when you’re back from your honeymoon
Darla, thanks so much for your comments, I’m glad that you feel like you know me – that means I must be doing something right! If you’d like to know the story behind the rainbow, check out my very first blog post: http://www.victoriasperspective.com/hello-world/
What a beautiful and insightful post! I actually had photo envy of YOUR stuff. You should be proud of yourself for being different from the rest of us. Your images were “gorge” and your 3 words seem very fitting. Keep raising the bar!
Great job! Just like the rainbow on this blog. Bold, Bright and Beautiful! You rocked it! Your two photos are so great. Thank you for your post here. I feel like I know you. I watched all 5 days of the Jasmine Star/ creative live course and it was an eye opener for me. Thank you!