Anyone who knows me from my writing or has attended one of my photography workshops, knows that I am a bit of a fanatic when it comes to using a tripod. In fact, I would rather have a good tripod than a good camera. A tripod is one of the few toys you can purchase that will instantly make your photography better. Assuming of course that you actually remember to bring it with you.
Which, of course, brings me to my story of a mountain biking trip to Fruita I recently went on with my wife, Carin, last month. We were only planning on doing a little mountain biking and heading back to Breckenridge, but an afternoon storm caused us to cut our plans short. Rather than just give up and leave, we took a drive in to Colorado National Monument hoping to get some photos of the sun setting just as the storm was clearing. I always have my camera bag in my car, but couldn’t find my tripod. I tore the car apart before remembering that I left it in the studio. So here I was, the king of tripod advocacy, without my tripod. To make matters worse, the weather and light came together for some incredible views.
I realized the only way to get a decent photo was going to be to place the camera directly on the ground, but if I do that, I need to make sure there was an interesting subject in the foreground. After a little searching I came across a depression in the sandstone that had filled with water from the afternoon rain. Using my hat, and some nearby stones, I was able to prop the camera up in front of the puddle to compose the shot. I also used the mirror lock up and self timer in order to minimize vibration. The image below was the result.
When it comes to finding inspiration for my photography, I can tell you that it comes from a lot of difference places, but I will start by saying where it does not come from: photography and bridal magazines. Each month, my PO box is packed with photography magazines such as, Rangerfinder, Photo District News, Popular Photography, PC Photo, Outdoor Photographer, Professional Photographer, and at least a dozen others that I can’t remember the name of. I don’t think I have actually paid for a subscription to any of them, although there are a few that I would. Somehow when you operate a studio and gallery, you end up on some list and the magazines just start pouring in.
It is not that I don’t enjoy reading these magazines, but most of the content falls in to one of two categories; the first being tools for turning you little home photo business into a multi million dollar a year business if only you buy a certain book, attend a certain class, or join a certain organization. The second category is how your photos will look great once you purchase new software, new cameras, or some other new toy that will make you the next Ansel Adams. I like a new gadget as much as the next guy, but the reality is that no toy I can buy is going to make me a better photographer.
If I really want inspiration for my wedding and portrait images, I stay clear of wedding and photography magazines. I find most of the images in those magazines somewhat stale. The fact is that the most innovative ideas are not emerging in those publications. They are seen elsewhere before the editor of a bridal magazine decides to include them, and it is only afterwards that they will appear in a photograph magazine.
When I want to see inspirational images, I look to magazines like Allure, GQ, and Vanity fair (especially an issue in which Annie Lebovitz has photographed the cover.) The fashion magazines have the newest most exciting imagery in them. This is where fashion starts before it is picked up by other industries. For me it doesn’t matter if I am doing a simple portrait of an infant or a modern wedding. I draw my inspiration from what is new and exciting to me.
If people want a more traditional image, there are plenty of other photographers that specialize in that. I want to make images that are art. Images that my clients want to see on their walls and shelves.
A fashion inspired image of a bride after getting dressed resting in a chair below a window
People walk in to my shop in Breckenridge every day and remind me how lucky I am to be able to live the dream and turn my passion in to my profession, and they are absolutely correct. In reality, I don’t need any reminder as to how lucky I am. Photography has brought me into the lives of countless people, through portrait and wedding photography, and has enabled me to travel to far corners of the world and experience things that would have been impossible if it wasn’t for me being a professional photographer.
Out of the last year, I’ve spent over four months travelling in order to photograph. I spent a month of that time in Tibet, where I was able to stay in guest houses sipping yak butter tea while watching the sun rise on Mount Everest. I spent two weeks on a road trip to California with my wife, during which time, I alternated between days of photography and rock climbing. For nearly two months I explored New England during the peak of the fall colors. I have photographed 2 weddings in Nepal, one in Washington D.C., another on the beach in Southern California, not to mention countless weddings across Colorado. This to me is what living the dream is all about.
Sometimes, I need to remind myself of how this is all possible. Part of that is realizing that photography is only a small part of the equation. There are many things that most people don’t know about that are required in order for me to be a successful photographer. So much time is spent on budgeting, it borders on ridiculous. For instance, when I traveled to Asia this past year, I incurred a lot of expenses. I had to weigh the option of having a magazine pick up the tab, or paying for the trip myself and having more freedom to photograph what I want. Then there is the question of whether or not I could pay for the expense with income earned from the project. This is an exceedingly impossible task due to all the variables involved.
Also, there is this illusion that photographers are self employed. People say that it must be great to make my own hours. A lot of time it is, but I also work pretty hard. It isn’t unusual for me to work 20 hours each day when on a project or photographing a wedding. With wedding photography there are no second chances, do overs, sick days, or good enoughs. It has to be perfect the very first time. With each wedding, I photograph, hours of time is devoted to planning every detail ahead of time, because I know expectations are nothing less than perfection.
That all being said, I do love my job. I am getting to live my dream, but sometimes I need to remind myself of all the work that goes in to it, because the last thing I want is to become complacent.
Andrea and David asked me to be part of their small intimate wedding at the Lodge at Breckenridge. They were a great fun couple to work with and the winter weather really cooperated for us making for some relatively warm temperatures and some great views of the mountains.
