Photography has always been an integral part of my artistic journey. As I strive to develop and grow, I’ve realized that printing and publishing my work is the next crucial step for me. Online platforms like Instagram and 500px no longer serve this purpose. I yearn to create meaningful and impactful content and connect with my audience in a more genuine way. This has led me to question, “What does photography mean to me?”
I have a broad interest in what I photograph – everyday scenes, nature, flowers, trees (I’m obsessed with trees), and people – Model photography, you could call it. But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that to evolve further, I need to be more mindful about the content I put out there. I want my content to be helpful for others, to guide them on their journey.
What Drives Me to Create
Photography for me is more than just capturing moments; It’s whenever I encounter something beautiful – when I read a beautiful poem, a haiku, or hear a song that moves me, or I see a piece of art a painting, a book cover, an album cover, I feel a deep desire to create something similar. This desire is not to copy them, but to create something that has the same impact. That evokes the same feelings that this artwork makes me feel. I want to be able to create that for somebody else. This connection to art, especially music from my Gen X roots – the alternative rock bands of the 90s – inspires me to create. I feel connected to the artist, but I also feel connected to myself, to the darker side of myself. I’m realizing the beauty of my imperfections, my flaws, my raw emotions, and my weirdness. Photography became my medium of choice to channel these emotions and share them with the world.
And what’s more important, it also makes me feel more alive when I do this. When I look at the pictures that I’ve created, all the creativity that went into this picture, especially when I work with models, I feel alive.
My work doesn’t fit neatly into categories like street photography, fine art photography or fashion photography. My approach to photography is about capturing natural expressions, movement, and body energy. I aim to create images that feel alive, inviting viewers to connect with their inner selves.
The Challenge of Publishing
Creating and publishing are two distinct processes. I don’t want to limit myself in the work that I create.
When I think about how I can bring my pictures into the world that’s a different story. When we think about publishing our work, it has an impact on what we create. For the good, because it drives us to create our best work, but also in a bad way. That when we create we think about will this sell, what’s the impact of that and that can be limiting. So, it’s good to separate these two roles> The creator from the publisher.
Instagram was great because it promised a connection with millions of people around the world. But as you probably know, it doesn’t work like that anymore. And if you try to be everything to everyone, you end up being nobody for no one.
I aim to create a personal and direct connection with my audience. I want my work to connect to a higher cause. I want it to be impactful. So I think about what experience I want the viewer to have. What’s the value that I bring.
For me, it’s a transformational experience when people can make a transformation or when these images can help them on their journey because they want to make a change.
Publishing guidelines
Because of that, I’ve defined some guidelines for myself to help me figuring out what I would like to publish.
Beauty matters
Of course, I want to create beautiful images and just transport this or express this joy of creation. It’s like I want to surround myself with beautiful things, things that I find beautiful. And what I find beautiful isn’t necessarily what you find beautiful.
My definition of beauty includes sensuality, calmness, and stillness. I want my photographs to evoke a tactile, tangible experience, inviting contemplation and meditation. I aim to create a safe space for my audience to explore their emotions, including the darker, uncomfortable ones. That’s the basic – beauty matters.
Contemplate and self reflection
Another thing that is important for me is a sense of calm and stillness. I want to invite the viewer to contemplate and meditate about who they are, what life is, what life means to them, their vision of life and where they want to go. And I want them to have an experience also that they can connect with their shadow self, we can integrate the aspects of ourselves we try to avoid – the darker emotions like anger, fear anxiety or frustration – and have an experience of wholeness. In my work I would like to create this safe space that allows us to get into these emotions and draw energy and power from that.
So, I want my audience to walk this path of self-exploration and self-discovery. And looking through the dark corners of our souls, because that’s where the healing begins.
Dance and playfulness
Dance and movement are significant inspirations in my photography. I love the energy of someone being present in their body deeply connected to their inner being. I seek to capture this energy when someone expresses themselves through intuitive body movement.
Related to that is playfulness. Don’t overthink and don’t be too serious with yourself. Being playful means being serious about the play so that we can immerse ourselves fully into it. When we play, we are fully present in what we do and experience a state of flow, joy and meaningful activity.
Embracing the everyday life
Our connection to nature and wilderness is vital. I want to capture the casual, candid moments of everyday life and make the most of them. This approach emphasizes the beauty in our daily routines and their importance of living a joyful, fulfilling life.
Detaching us from our work
There’s a quote I once read – the purpose of art is to make the revolution irresistible.
Art has the power to provoke new ideas and challenge the status quo. It exists not only to entertain but also to inspire change. I believe that art can lead to a more open, tolerant, and diverse society, helping us tackle the challenges we face today, from climate change to social inequality.
When publishing our work, it’s important to detach ourselves from it while still attaching meaningful ideas. This balance allows us to share our art without losing our sense of self. Thank you for joining me on this journey of self-exploration and understanding why we create what we create.