Excellent post! All of it is so helpful and for those who stay aware of what the ups and downs are, that awareness helps but doesn't cure us! Persistence is in fact, the key. I have a print out of a quote that is taped to the wall of my studio. It says, “If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh. I practice three different forms of art and it's vital to me to push past the voices and the inner critic. I'm not always successful. Regarding the Zf, I own it and it has really opened up new avenues for me!
Thank you for this Wesley. This year I've celebrated a couple of small wins. But then I also remembered that a few years ago when I was scammed off 60% of my gear, I felt like giving up. It's a challenge I never saw coming, but I persevered, overcame that hurdle and fast forward, I think I'm on a track I want to be.
The greatest creative challenges are from finding the balance between parental responsibilities and creative pursuits. I’ve made up my mind to put creativity in the back seat for these precious few years while my son is young. So the challenge is in finding the windows to create while prioritizing fatherhood. I’m acutely aware that he soon won’t want or need me around. With that in mind, the photography goals can wait.
Can’t complain! Things are going well professionally but I don’t have enough time for creative or personal work. Well, I’ll get a brief window to plan something creative but when it comes time to execute it my schedule gets busy again.
These are incredibly valuable reminders. I recently went through a major identity crisis when trying to balance my day job and a growing photography sideline. There were the usual questions of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to take my work, with a side dose of imposter complex. I'd started to hate having a fun camera and a "work" camera, especially when I completely fell out of sync with the Sony gear and its frustrating color science, among other things. I went through a roller coaster on what I wanted creatively and practically before realizing that I actually craved limitations and hated chasing gigs. So after a brief foray into Fuji's medium format system, I flipped the entire kit (along with the lighting gear that I didn't have storage for) into a Leica SL2-S with two primes. I can still shoot an event and rent gear if necessary, and I can use a friend's studio rather than trying to build my own for one or two shoots a month. Most of all, I'm back to a set up that is perfect for what I shoot 90% of the time. Simplicity feels good.
Well said. It's true in most of life's pursuits. Additionally, when we see a "sudden success story", we should expect that tons of unrecognized effort preceded that story, and it really wasn't sudden at all.
Another great post, Wesley, thanks for that! This year is supposed to hold big things for my carreer. I'll have my first solo installation and I've directed my first ever music video (which I'm currently finishing the color grading process). During all of the previous years, I wanted so hard for things actually happen to me, for the ideas to finally come out of my head and have a physical form in this world, but now that it is happening, I am struggling with keeping the rhytm (I do not work as a photographer or director on a daily basis, I'm actually a QA engineer - hopefully not forever) and that has been a major challenge this year, how to work around the free time (when you are problably tired) and wear all these hats while you can not deep dive into the things you love. See ya
Go Mario! You're moving forward in a great way! Hope you join the Process Photo Club soon too, there will be lots of members-only tools perfect for you!
In the face of countless 'no's,' it can be really hard to remember exactly why we create. Thank you for the reminder that honing the craft will eventually pay off, whatever that will eventually mean for each of us.
In this regard a record of what you do helps. When feeling that I'm "not getting anywhere", I can see how far I came. It helps me. Tiny steps still propel you forward on your journey.
Incredible content, as always! Congrats, Wesley! Well, I'm still developing some of the main ideas for this year. I think I need to launch some "Beta" versions of what will take more time to be complete. Maybe it's a better way to give small parts or a kind of showcase about what's coming out.
Excellent post! All of it is so helpful and for those who stay aware of what the ups and downs are, that awareness helps but doesn't cure us! Persistence is in fact, the key. I have a print out of a quote that is taped to the wall of my studio. It says, “If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh. I practice three different forms of art and it's vital to me to push past the voices and the inner critic. I'm not always successful. Regarding the Zf, I own it and it has really opened up new avenues for me!
Juliette, turns out you won this Giveaway! DM me or send me an email and I'll make sure you get your gift card!
that's a great quote Juliette!
Thank you for this Wesley. This year I've celebrated a couple of small wins. But then I also remembered that a few years ago when I was scammed off 60% of my gear, I felt like giving up. It's a challenge I never saw coming, but I persevered, overcame that hurdle and fast forward, I think I'm on a track I want to be.
Glad to hear it!
The greatest creative challenges are from finding the balance between parental responsibilities and creative pursuits. I’ve made up my mind to put creativity in the back seat for these precious few years while my son is young. So the challenge is in finding the windows to create while prioritizing fatherhood. I’m acutely aware that he soon won’t want or need me around. With that in mind, the photography goals can wait.
Beautiful priority setting
Can’t complain! Things are going well professionally but I don’t have enough time for creative or personal work. Well, I’ll get a brief window to plan something creative but when it comes time to execute it my schedule gets busy again.
Hope that is coon!
These are incredibly valuable reminders. I recently went through a major identity crisis when trying to balance my day job and a growing photography sideline. There were the usual questions of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to take my work, with a side dose of imposter complex. I'd started to hate having a fun camera and a "work" camera, especially when I completely fell out of sync with the Sony gear and its frustrating color science, among other things. I went through a roller coaster on what I wanted creatively and practically before realizing that I actually craved limitations and hated chasing gigs. So after a brief foray into Fuji's medium format system, I flipped the entire kit (along with the lighting gear that I didn't have storage for) into a Leica SL2-S with two primes. I can still shoot an event and rent gear if necessary, and I can use a friend's studio rather than trying to build my own for one or two shoots a month. Most of all, I'm back to a set up that is perfect for what I shoot 90% of the time. Simplicity feels good.
Simplicity is so so useful! Thanks for sharing Paul!
Well said. It's true in most of life's pursuits. Additionally, when we see a "sudden success story", we should expect that tons of unrecognized effort preceded that story, and it really wasn't sudden at all.
exactly that Donn!
Another great post, Wesley, thanks for that! This year is supposed to hold big things for my carreer. I'll have my first solo installation and I've directed my first ever music video (which I'm currently finishing the color grading process). During all of the previous years, I wanted so hard for things actually happen to me, for the ideas to finally come out of my head and have a physical form in this world, but now that it is happening, I am struggling with keeping the rhytm (I do not work as a photographer or director on a daily basis, I'm actually a QA engineer - hopefully not forever) and that has been a major challenge this year, how to work around the free time (when you are problably tired) and wear all these hats while you can not deep dive into the things you love. See ya
Go Mario! You're moving forward in a great way! Hope you join the Process Photo Club soon too, there will be lots of members-only tools perfect for you!
In the face of countless 'no's,' it can be really hard to remember exactly why we create. Thank you for the reminder that honing the craft will eventually pay off, whatever that will eventually mean for each of us.
Thank you for that note Kelly! Means a lot
Hi Wesley! Thank you for the usual great reminder of what we need to do. A great reminder to have on a Monday morning.
Glad to hear it Alvin! :) Hope you are well!
Love this one, Wesley. 100% agree with your thoughts and can absolutely relate!
Thanks Kyle :) I know you get it!
In this regard a record of what you do helps. When feeling that I'm "not getting anywhere", I can see how far I came. It helps me. Tiny steps still propel you forward on your journey.
such a good idea!
Incredible content, as always! Congrats, Wesley! Well, I'm still developing some of the main ideas for this year. I think I need to launch some "Beta" versions of what will take more time to be complete. Maybe it's a better way to give small parts or a kind of showcase about what's coming out.
yes! start small!
Thanks for the reminder about persistence
you're very welcome Josh!
So perfectly described Wesley. The creative journey has no destination!
thanks charlie! i know you get it!