Jeff Buckley once said the secret to finding your voice is having faith in your deepest eccentricities. This issue is about what that means for photography, improv, and any creative practice—and why you already have everything you need.
It’s in the strange impulses and in the things you’re fascinated by to the point that it almost embarrasses you - this line is everything, it made me smile 🙏🏻
This is perfect. Making what you alone feel drawn to make, as opposed to any idea of what "should" be made. It's a known secret to doing things that matter, whether artwork or anything else. And this: We aren't meant to be happy. Happy is fleeting at best, it comes and goes. But we are meant to feel fulfilled. Ready for the morning to break, comfortable with our day when we turn out the lights. It starts with Wesley's understanding of things.
This is beautifully said...about satisfaction adding more to life than temporal happiness and readiness to take on the day and challenges. I'm going topass on to my nearly adult kids.
This is wonderful. As someone who briefly practiced improv many years ago, I believe "yes, and" to be a sort of fundamental truth to the universe. It's certainly become a guiding principle in my own creative life.
Learning you can step on stage and open your mouth before having any idea what you're going to say... and then having it work out, not only fine but wonderful... it taught me to be much more comfortable giving up some semblance of control and incorporating the potential for "magic" into my creative process.
My point being: Amen! I love this post and thank you for writing it.
I should add that I started with improv because I’d photographed an actor and improv teacher (who’d studied with Del Close himself) who invited me to his class as a thanks for the portrait. I didn’t want to be rude… and it turned out to be nothing short of life changing.
The first part of this newsletter really resonated with me. See, recently i was given the opportunity to receive mentorship for a very personal project i'm developing. I had a meeting with this person (a photographer from the curatorial world and prior professor at my school), and was given ideas / feedback that I really didn't know how to respond to. I didn't want to be rude, or come across as someone who doesn't accept views other than her own (why pursue this mentorship otherwise?). But I didn't quite picture myself following that direction. Upon reflection, I see now that it was not my ego but rather feeling that the suggestions, while valid and interesting for future projects, ventured too far from the core of the project i want to do now, of the underlying feeling i wanted to express, that thing that caught my curiosity. So I guess sometimes you have to trust your gut? 🫣
What's something you're drawn to that you've downplayed or second-guessed?
Me. I hadn't really realized it. I'm good at second guessing myself. However, yesterday I woke up with another "crazy" idea of exploring the silence in my world. I was missing having a coffee with a friend who's been busy. I miss the sharing of the little things in life. I made it simple. A photo of my moka pot on the stove. A few second audio clip of the same. Did the same with breakfast and my shower (not of me in the shower! That'd be another thing altogether! Hahaha!). I didn't shoot videos. I separated the two. I made it simple and just did it. I used to think these ideas of mine were pointless. Now I've had 2 days of a new perspective of sound in my life. Somehow it's feeding my learning Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. My ears are more attentive and appreciating more nuance.
Thank you for this Wesley. This was exactly what I needed to read at this point in my development as a photographer. I’ve been struggling with thinking about what I type of photographer I should be and what I should shoot rather than thinking about where I feel comfortable, what interests me and catches my attention. Thanks
The list of things that I could have, would have, should have is a tome bigger than Lord of the Rings. I have often tripped my own creative thoughts about an idea to write or photo project by taking it too seriously rather than having fun with it.
This post is almost as though it was the articulated version of a nudge given by the universe made tangible on this post! Thanks!
Beautifully written! In a world with so much competition where creative individuals are trying to find their own significant touch to their work, it is true that we are all so unique. Qualities that we might not know we had, or too embarrassed to use. For me, I started posting my photography pictures on my Instagram page and even started incorporating them in video's (vlogs) that I posted on YouTube. When in the beginning, I would eagerly share the video's with my Instagram followers with a bit of an embarrassing touch, I now proudly share it on my profile for people to see that I enjoy being creative.
Hi Wesley, some interesting thoughts there. My personal challenge I see when photographing is lack of purpose for my pictures. I'm not interested in showing them online. Some of them have a nice purpose of documenting life of my family, but most don't. I really enjoy wandering around the world with a camera, sometimes I shoot with a theme in mind (I have a few running projects to add pictures to - they also don't have home of any kind), sometimes not, but lack of home for pictures seems daunting at times makes me question my hobby - but not too much ;)
Great post! I really enjoy playing around with diptychs. They can add this whole layer of rhythm, storytelling or randomness to your photos. Love seeing yours!
I have a long term project where I photograph just the rooftops of old houses, typically from the top floor windows and up. I live in one of the oldest cities in Canada and so there are a lot of 100+ year old homes. Most look like they haven’t re-shingled in 50+years so you get a lot of character, moss, discolouration, I’m kind of obsessed.
I needed this message today, and for all time. What interest or subject in my photography or creative life *haven’t* I second-guessed or downplayed? Whether it was self-portraiture when I was in art school, or photographing the detritus in my neighborhood streets, or the more vulnerable photography of the last few years attempting new ideas, capturing light indoors as it lands on walls and blankets, stuff that feels more personal… I have been unpacking how I was taught as a kid to second-guess all my instincts, ideas, inspiration, intuition, not just creatively but bodily. So this is a lesson I need to re-learn again and again. It is honestly so heartbreaking to realize how I have been trying to do things all my life (like portraiture for instance—I highly relate!), the way other people do them and to make it look how other people think it should look. Thank you for the reminder!! This gives me hope and inspiration to finally say “f*** it” and lean into what I like.
Btw, I’m also a former improviser and it’s true how much great stuff it teaches you that applies to other creative endeavors and life in general. I have been missing it.
This is such an valuable post! The Jeff Buckley quote really resounds. I love that you’ve woven your improv life and lessons into your photography. I create music and paint & this helps me reflect on how I can bring those practices more into my photography instead of keeping everything in separate boxes. Thank you!
It’s in the strange impulses and in the things you’re fascinated by to the point that it almost embarrasses you - this line is everything, it made me smile 🙏🏻
Thank you Tamsin, I appreciate that!
This is perfect. Making what you alone feel drawn to make, as opposed to any idea of what "should" be made. It's a known secret to doing things that matter, whether artwork or anything else. And this: We aren't meant to be happy. Happy is fleeting at best, it comes and goes. But we are meant to feel fulfilled. Ready for the morning to break, comfortable with our day when we turn out the lights. It starts with Wesley's understanding of things.
Very kind words Donn! Thank you! I’m think I agree with the happiness statement as well!
This is beautifully said...about satisfaction adding more to life than temporal happiness and readiness to take on the day and challenges. I'm going topass on to my nearly adult kids.
This is wonderful. As someone who briefly practiced improv many years ago, I believe "yes, and" to be a sort of fundamental truth to the universe. It's certainly become a guiding principle in my own creative life.
Learning you can step on stage and open your mouth before having any idea what you're going to say... and then having it work out, not only fine but wonderful... it taught me to be much more comfortable giving up some semblance of control and incorporating the potential for "magic" into my creative process.
My point being: Amen! I love this post and thank you for writing it.
once you improv, you never go back haha agreed with everything you said!
I should add that I started with improv because I’d photographed an actor and improv teacher (who’d studied with Del Close himself) who invited me to his class as a thanks for the portrait. I didn’t want to be rude… and it turned out to be nothing short of life changing.
that's even better!
The first part of this newsletter really resonated with me. See, recently i was given the opportunity to receive mentorship for a very personal project i'm developing. I had a meeting with this person (a photographer from the curatorial world and prior professor at my school), and was given ideas / feedback that I really didn't know how to respond to. I didn't want to be rude, or come across as someone who doesn't accept views other than her own (why pursue this mentorship otherwise?). But I didn't quite picture myself following that direction. Upon reflection, I see now that it was not my ego but rather feeling that the suggestions, while valid and interesting for future projects, ventured too far from the core of the project i want to do now, of the underlying feeling i wanted to express, that thing that caught my curiosity. So I guess sometimes you have to trust your gut? 🫣
Always trust the gut, imo :)
What's something you're drawn to that you've downplayed or second-guessed?
Me. I hadn't really realized it. I'm good at second guessing myself. However, yesterday I woke up with another "crazy" idea of exploring the silence in my world. I was missing having a coffee with a friend who's been busy. I miss the sharing of the little things in life. I made it simple. A photo of my moka pot on the stove. A few second audio clip of the same. Did the same with breakfast and my shower (not of me in the shower! That'd be another thing altogether! Hahaha!). I didn't shoot videos. I separated the two. I made it simple and just did it. I used to think these ideas of mine were pointless. Now I've had 2 days of a new perspective of sound in my life. Somehow it's feeding my learning Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. My ears are more attentive and appreciating more nuance.
This is so lovely to read, Corinne! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this Wesley. This was exactly what I needed to read at this point in my development as a photographer. I’ve been struggling with thinking about what I type of photographer I should be and what I should shoot rather than thinking about where I feel comfortable, what interests me and catches my attention. Thanks
Terry! You're very welcome, thanks for reading and commenting. If you could share it with any friends that may be feeling similarly, I owe you one.
The list of things that I could have, would have, should have is a tome bigger than Lord of the Rings. I have often tripped my own creative thoughts about an idea to write or photo project by taking it too seriously rather than having fun with it.
This post is almost as though it was the articulated version of a nudge given by the universe made tangible on this post! Thanks!
Well I certainly loved reading this is how it hit you! Thank you for sharing that!
Beautifully written! In a world with so much competition where creative individuals are trying to find their own significant touch to their work, it is true that we are all so unique. Qualities that we might not know we had, or too embarrassed to use. For me, I started posting my photography pictures on my Instagram page and even started incorporating them in video's (vlogs) that I posted on YouTube. When in the beginning, I would eagerly share the video's with my Instagram followers with a bit of an embarrassing touch, I now proudly share it on my profile for people to see that I enjoy being creative.
Xannah! Love reading this and love that you're gotten to this point with your work!
Hi Wesley, some interesting thoughts there. My personal challenge I see when photographing is lack of purpose for my pictures. I'm not interested in showing them online. Some of them have a nice purpose of documenting life of my family, but most don't. I really enjoy wandering around the world with a camera, sometimes I shoot with a theme in mind (I have a few running projects to add pictures to - they also don't have home of any kind), sometimes not, but lack of home for pictures seems daunting at times makes me question my hobby - but not too much ;)
The beauty is, the activity and the feeling it gives you can be its own purpose :)
Looking forward to seeing some of your photos in Ukraine!
Can’t wait to show them :)
Great post! I really enjoy playing around with diptychs. They can add this whole layer of rhythm, storytelling or randomness to your photos. Love seeing yours!
Thank you Scott! If you haven't seen my book NOTICE Journal Volume One yet, you'll get a kick out of it, all diptychs!
I have a long term project where I photograph just the rooftops of old houses, typically from the top floor windows and up. I live in one of the oldest cities in Canada and so there are a lot of 100+ year old homes. Most look like they haven’t re-shingled in 50+years so you get a lot of character, moss, discolouration, I’m kind of obsessed.
that sounds so cool!
I needed this message today, and for all time. What interest or subject in my photography or creative life *haven’t* I second-guessed or downplayed? Whether it was self-portraiture when I was in art school, or photographing the detritus in my neighborhood streets, or the more vulnerable photography of the last few years attempting new ideas, capturing light indoors as it lands on walls and blankets, stuff that feels more personal… I have been unpacking how I was taught as a kid to second-guess all my instincts, ideas, inspiration, intuition, not just creatively but bodily. So this is a lesson I need to re-learn again and again. It is honestly so heartbreaking to realize how I have been trying to do things all my life (like portraiture for instance—I highly relate!), the way other people do them and to make it look how other people think it should look. Thank you for the reminder!! This gives me hope and inspiration to finally say “f*** it” and lean into what I like.
Btw, I’m also a former improviser and it’s true how much great stuff it teaches you that applies to other creative endeavors and life in general. I have been missing it.
Most of us would pass right over the 'You are enough' but you've given it life
Thank you Ellen! That means a lot!
This is such an valuable post! The Jeff Buckley quote really resounds. I love that you’ve woven your improv life and lessons into your photography. I create music and paint & this helps me reflect on how I can bring those practices more into my photography instead of keeping everything in separate boxes. Thank you!
Mary! So glad you like it! Especially that you’re considering being your different areas together as well!
This is the second instance of this message crossing my path this morning. I agree wholeheartedly and try to be true to myself as much as I can.