workshops

i mentioned briefly here that i was doing a small handful of workshops for some friends & a few clients this spring, and through the process of four workshops i held in my home, i think i was re-inspired in my vision & philosophy behind my camera, the lenses, and the non-sense technical weights.  as an introvert, i feel content with the process i did quietly in my mind – but thought it would be a special place to jot down a few of the key things that have stood out to me.

overall, i was reminded of why i take pictures.  as i sat with small circles of others, i was so re-inspired for the purity of photographing the most precious, insignificant, beautiful, & boring moments in my home & life.

that the biggest reason i want a camera – is to photograph and freeze the life of my family.the other key component that by the end became what i felt to be the most important aspect of the workshops—  the phrase “corrective emotional experience” & “cognitive restructuring” kept popping into my head.  from my old days as a social worker and therapist. i’m totally am using it out of context – but feel like a few things clicked for me (no pun intended).

photography is so emotional, because in some ways is a form of therapy.  

as i led the workshops, by the end i felt the strongest about the reality that because life is not always simple, or beautiful, or slow – i use photography as a way to restructure my focus, my gaze, and my energy to what is simple, beautiful and slow in life.  and in that – i see God’s beauty all around.  i see sweet emotions & simplicity.  and while when i am photographing my brain and emotions are often far from simple, often imperfect & messy… it’s shocking how much of a therapy revisiting things are in stills afterwards.
so i opened my little tiny house.  and my small space to a few, very few. and while they walked away hopefully understanding ISO and appeture and shutter speed… i hope they walked away with a renewed sense to stop & notice. and then to photograph. to help remember. because life really is beautiful & we can make efforts to change our thoughts too.