People buy people first and then they buy things. People notice and like the energy first and then they involve themselves with the object, experience, person.
Isn’t it strange how much effort we actually put into arranging all the material aspects of our life - hair & make-up, outfit, house & place we live, degree, even activities? We’re obsessed to gaining, achieving, arranging this illusion ti portray ourselves in a way we assume is correct, acceptable, beneficial in some sort of way for us. Majority of the effort goes to arranging all those things, creating this life that others will perceive.
Yet we forget the core aspect of this human experience - all that is unseen to the eye, unspoken to the mouth, but completely felt by the body. The essence if it all that no outfit or carrer status can overpower. That very unseen thing is the most noticeable of all. I’m sure you’ve felt if something is off in a person or situation even though everything looked nice and tidy from the outside. I’m also sure you’e experienced the contrary, beautiful feeling covered by not so pleasing visual presentation.
Despite the fact that I’m a visual artist and my job is mainly involved with the visual perseption, the most liked photographs from clients or audience are always those that involve something more than beautiful presentation. Something more that they might not even realise are experiencing and been drawn towards. Something smoothly piercing deeper than the surface, softly taking them into a journey involving their soul more than their eyes.
This is the main aspect of photography in my opinion - to be able to transfer the viewer into another reality by making them feel.
My photography style was born this way and no matter how many other things I try or get confused with in order to fit in, that unique feeling always brings me back. And that unique feeling is exactly what people come to me for, its exactly what they feel without realising it.
Photographing essence is more complicated setting your technical equipment exposure correctly. It involves vulnerability, letting the world sees all that you have inside and taking the risk to hurt you. Despite the risk involved, the price is worth it. Every single time.