More hats this month, and more camping, and more everyday moments at home…
Putting these posts together is fun for me. It’s become a quick process, and that’s not something I could have always claimed. If a 365 teaches you anything, it’s to be decisive, and to let go of perfection. This 365 has been much easier for me than my last one because I feel like I’ve learned that lesson, to some extent at least.
In the past 5 years, I’ve taken and edited hundreds of thousands of photos for myself, and thousands upon thousands for clients. The more I’ve shot, the more decisive I’ve become, and the less attached I’ve become to my photos. It used to be hard to pick which photo or two to share on a given day when I take 25 or 50 or 100 that I love. Why? Because I’m a fantastic photographer? No. Because I love my kids, and I care about my clients. I get emotionally invested in my photography, especially my personal photography.
But I no longer have an overwhelming desire to make sure everybody knows about every single fantastic photo I’ve taken in a day. There is such freedom in shooting for yourself, in having nothing left to prove. Why do I bring this up? I don’t know. It’s on my mind. And I wish I could have communicated that to myself years ago. Because I was pretty stressed out. And I wasted a lot of time. I have nothing to prove. I want to encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by the vast amounts of photographic talent there is on the market today, or anyone who feels frustrated by where they are compared to where they want to be.
Let it go. Really. Photography is so much fun. It gives back so much. Don’t be overwhelmed. You have nothing to prove. Enjoy the process. Enjoy the memories. Do your best, but let go of perfection. You’ll be a better photographer for it. Give the grace you want to receive. Be you regardless of what other people do. Smile back at those smiling faces in the photographs you take, even if you’re the only one who ever sees it. You’re preserving memories. That’s what it’s all about.
Tell Your Story | www.delalanephotography.com
