When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible.~Unknown author.
The year is not over yet and, despite the snow and cold, I still have a few photo shoots scheduled but things are slowing down as winter blows in and people prepare for the holiday season. I’m excited this week. I’ve been contemplating and planning for 2010. There are a number of changes coming up that I’m really quite excited about sharing with everyone. I’m also going to share some images from 2009 in future posts this month — a bit of a wink on the year that will soon slip and slide its way into a fresh new year.
When I began upon this photographic journey year before last, I had no idea it would grow and evolve the way it has. I’m so fortunate. I’ve met some wonderful people, shared special moments and milestones, and have grown along the way. When I began, my focus was on capturing special moments between people while avoiding the cheesy or posed shots. Somewhere along the path this year, I shifted to more of those posed shots though I still managed to keep the cheesy ones at bay. In recent weeks as I’ve been putting together my plans and goals for next year and the future, this is one thing that needs to be addressed. Although I fully realize some people do want posed images, I plan to coax those from my repertoire in 2010. Sure, I’ll continue to accommodate those clients who want the occasional posed image, but I plan to focus far more on my original love and talent at capturing the emotions and unique relationships of my clients. I plan to tell their story through images. This is quite different from what many people think of in terms of portraits. I want to capture those special looks on people’s faces, or a certain body language that only those close to them really know, a certain stage in a child’s life, or the unique way a person looks or react to their loved ones. Those are the moments I’m after. It really is a type of storytelling, which isn’t a complete surprise when you consider how many years I’ve spent writing about people. This is nothing to be fearful of; quite the contrary. What it means with me going back to my original focus is that my clients will have portraits that are more of a treasure — these will be heirloom images capturing a chapter in their life. Capturing these chapters through images excites me. I can hardly wait to get back to my original journey — it’s much like having gone on a hike and taking a different path than originally planned — taking the well worn path rather than that special one where fewer travel. No harm done, saw some great sights, and still ended up at the same destination. I simply plan to take that special path where fewer have travelled. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. ~Confucius
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Diane captures special moments and emotions of people as well as their connection with their pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.
by Diane
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