Print your work
August 19th is recognized as “World Photography Day”. Over on TikTok I made a video talking about why photographers should print their own work and what services I use. I thought I would write a blog about the same topic and what services/resources I personally use.
Firstly, there is something special to the point it’s nearly inexplainable about holding a physical print. For many of us older farts it reminds of “one hour photo” of yesteryear. Fun fact, my first on the books job was working at Walgreens in the photo lab back in 1999. As we barreled full steam ahead into the digital age printing photos quickly became rare. Now most of our photos are kept in the digital sphere and the most important ones might get printed. If you don’t already I encourage you to start printing your own work for your own collection. You do not need to sell any if you do not want to. I have a coffee table photo album that I am building that is for myself and guests to look through.
embrace the imperfections
One quote that has fundamentally shifted my outlook of my own art is, “overthinking is the enemy of creativity”. I am an over thinker by nature. Not just an over thinker but an incredibly anxious over thinker. My mind loves self doubt and being overly critical of my work. Not too uncommon for artists. But for me it's not just with my art. It’s nearly all aspects of my life. My social anxiety can at times feel crippling. My depressions casts a shadow of doubt on just about everything. As if my brain wasn’t already moving fast enough I am also a perfectionist who needs routines.
Tips for new photographers
You are always going to take bad photos.
As a new photographer I remember thinking the more I learn the better my photos will be and maybe I won’t take bad photos again. Ha! The more you learn the more potential you have to improve your photos or art in general for that matter. But I still take photos that I think are shit. I still miss focus sometimes. I still miss the shot for one reason or another (that’s street photography 🤷🏻♂️). I even sometimes still forget to take the damn lens cap off. Shit happens. Or I’m just a mess. Whatever it is don’t beat yourself up if a photo you thought you nailed ends up being shit. Make note of what you do and don’t like about that photo then move on.