The True Meaning of Photography

If you thought that this photography thing was only about having fun, clicking away and maybe making some money, then you’re right. But you’re also VERY wrong. Yes, I have fun. Yes, I love clicking away. Yes, I pay my bills, take care of my family and save a little all by mastering my camera. But this photography thing is so much more than that.

It’s about service. It’s about curating history. It’s about preserving a memory. It’s about telling stories. It’s sparking conversation. It’s answering questions, raising questions. It’s truth telling. Like telling a woman that she’s beautiful when she think she’s not. Or capturing that 5 year old and his dad, because by the time he’s six, his dad will be gone….forever. It’s about looking back at generations of photographs and realizing that my daughter looks just like my grandmother when she was that age. It’s about remembering your wedding day, long after the decorations are trashed, the food is turned to waste and the dress no longer fits. It’s about telling your grandchildren all about your ballet teacher or your football games or your graduation party.

Photography is creating your own story…..and preserving it…..for you, for your children, for your legacy…..for your contribution to this world.

Note to self: Do your work, your best work, the work that matters to you. For some people, you can say, “hey, it’s not for you.” That’s okay. If you try to delight the undelightable, you’ve made yourself miserable for no reason. It’s sort of silly to make yourself miserable, but at least you ought to reserve it for times when you have a good reason. – Seth Godin