To Thine Own Self Be True

I just finished reading a FANTASTIC blog post by The Artisan Hound entitled "The Importance of Authenticity."  The post made me reflect on my own journey through this world of photography.  It's a post I think every photographer should read.

I have never been one to walk down anyone else's path.  For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to forge my own paths.  

In the beginning, when I was growing up as a photographer, and didn't know who I wanted to be, I admired the work of many.  Yet, when I took my camera out and did my countless practice sessions, my eye, camera, mind and personality took over and kept repeating:  "FIND YOUR OWN VOICE!"

Finding my voice was an evolutionary process.  Sometimes it was a harsh reality.  Sometimes it was a pleasant surprise.

In college I had a Creative Writing teacher, Ms. Hoffman.  She was a free spirit.  Her perspective on the very first class hit home when she said: "Did you ever have a creative writing teacher who told you to be creative, then told you, by her grading, that you didn't fit in the mold of creativity?  Well, that's not me." 

The fact was, I had had many of those types of teachers.  If you didn't fit the mold, you didn't get the grade.  But not Ms. Hoffman.  To her, every creative moment was a beautiful insight.

What does this have to do with this week's blog?  I'm getting there.

This week's theme is Self-Portrait.

Naturally, this took me down an introspective curve in the road.  How DID I get here?  Do I have a voice?  Is my voice my own?  Is it clear?

The last time I did a studio self portrait with a dog, it was November of 2019.  Our English Setter, Lilah, the head-sniffer, was her inimitable self.  I had just finished a session with a client, and brought her over to take a photo of just her in the set up, but ended sitting with her, my remote trigger in my hand.  This is my favorite photo of us together, because it's TRUE.  It's her voice and my voice.  This is WHO WE ARE, it shouts.  No pretense.  "I am Lilah, and I sniff heads....pleased to meet you!" says Lilah.  And me?  Well, "I am Elaine, and I want to photograph EXACTLY who you are, Lilah."

I see that as my job.  My very good, wonderful, every-day's-a-new-adventure job. It's to seek out and understand the personalities of pets and their people and mirror it in my photographs, to translate emotion and relationships into visual light, and to bring lasting memories to walls, desks and tables to remind us all of the things we love that really matter.

So, I will certainly continue to admire the work of others, in all of their varied-style glory.  But, I will always be true to myself and my own voice, whether it fits a mold or not, because that's who I am.

Oh, and I decided to take our 11 month old puppy, Talley, into the studio for some updated Mom-and-Me shots.  Here's how that went.
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Talley, we have found out, is a face-smoocher.

Enjoy the weekend.  We are so very close to Spring and all it brings.

I am scheduling now for Spring photography sessions, both in studio and on location, themed or spontaneous!  Give me a call or ship me an email, or use the form on this website to contact me.

This week's theme moves along within the blog circle. Start here: Family & Pet Portraits with Danyel & Mike Rogers (a husband & wife team) at Wag to my Heart Studio. Serving Hillsboro and the greater Portland Metro area.