Getting inspried for photography

Over the past year or so I have struggled to get inspired with my photography. Some of it I blamed on the physical nature of a job I had where I would average 11,000 or so steps in a day, not including the other physical demands of the job. Other times I blamed the weather or my location in the mid-west. In a search to find a way to get inspired, I began to participate in a meetup group. I attended several meetups with other photographers and a number of models. It was fun and it got me out and taking pictures. What I soon discovered, however, was that there were often so many people that I lacked the creativity I desired. There were times when we were literally tripping over each other. Other photographers’ lights were in the way, and you were easily photobombed by others who were moving about the set or location. It was a great way to meet other photographers and make connections with models but the stresses of the actual sessions became too much. I have since stopped participating in that meetup group.

The experience helped me realize what was really important. Getting out there. Not allowing others to set the creative theme or location. In fact, one day after I decided to no longer participate in the meetup group I got in my car and just drove around looking for things and places to photograph.

Getting out and just driving about to look is something I had not done in a long time. The act of photography by wandering about allows me to see in a more creative way. Looking at things more artistically. Imagining a time and place that may no longer exist.

I don’t intend to stop working with photographing people and models but to expand my vision to include as much as I can. There is so much in the world to see and so many more things to photograph, including people. The experience of participating in a meetup group did get me inspired to do more and to think more creatively so it wasn’t a failure it was a kick in the pants that got me to understand what is important to me as an artist.