The biggest reward as a photographer is when the sitter/client connects with the image they see portrayed by the third person (the professional photographer in this case). It’s a huge recognition, keeping in mind the harsh, doubtful, critical voice each and every one of us have. So to overwrite that negative noice through the visual profs (photographs) for me truly is the biggest reward I receive from my sitters.
Not sure exactly when or how I developed this skill, but clients tell me the same thing - I thought I’m not fotogénico, I thought I won’t like any of the photos, you catch me in between positioning myself, in between being uncomfortable and too comfortable. Somehow I’ve found a way to observe and catch the essence of people, an alertness that helps me show them their best sides, their best look, their best profile.
It’s not so much about capturing perfectly exposed photographs with the most modern equipment, although those aspects do make a difference. Impactful photographs are about something that we FEEL more than what we see. Something that we’re drawn towards, without ability to fully cognitively explain.
For the 18 years I’ve been involved with photography I’ve realised in the recent years what I’m actually photographing, why clients book me, why they come back again and again.
I’ve used photography as a personal practice to capture my own emotions, to heal my own wounds, to accept and love the body I live in. Because of this intense personal practice that helped me soothe pain and childhood traumas, I’m not able to do this for others, to help them SEE and FEEL themselves they way they have been longing for.
In Asia they say “no mud, no lotus”, and I’m just begging to see my lotus opening up. Would you like to see yours too?