Navigating the Art of Mindful Photography
Picture this: the photographer handed me a leaflet and instructed me to make my selection from the menu. A menu? I hadn't come to eat! This tale took root a few years back when the need arose for a professional photo to accompany my fellowship application.
The "menu" presented me with a series of images, each labeled with a number, as if I were ordering from a fast-food joint. "I'll take numbers 4 and 9, please," I said, while my wallet quivered at the $150 price tag per photo, post-sitting fee. Mind you, all these shots would feature me standing up.
In retrospect, the end result didn't quite meet the mark. They felt mismatched for my application's purpose. Who needs to pose beside a chalkboard to prove they teach? Last time I checked, it's not the 1800s. And as for the classic arm-crossing stance? Well, let's just say it's not exactly my go-to pose. Yet, I picked the images and still sensed something amiss.
Flash forward to me donning the photographer's hat. My vision? Capture shots that unveil the person within, replacing the menu-like choices with a grand buffet of possibilities. No more cookie-cutter arm-crossing, leftward gazing, chin-lowering, or skyward peering. How can someone's unique message shine when they're boxed into a standardized pose? Think about it: speakers need photos on stage, sure, but what if they're also engaging with the crowd before or after the event? What if they're touring the school or venue, connecting with the locals? What if they switch things up, touring the community before the big meeting? It struck me like a lightning bolt—I yearned to capture not just the person, but the precise moments when their message flowed through their being. No pre-set poses; instead, I'd guide them to lead me with their narrative.
Through this enlightening process, I discovered that even within the realm of photography, true connection with people is paramount. Genuinely capturing individuals along with their messages requires understanding, patience, and a willingness to explore beyond the ordinary.
Jaymie, What’s on your bucket list? I inquired behind my lens. He appeared momentarily befuddled, as if pondering a riddle he hadn't quite anticipated. "I'm already living it." His words held a profound truth, embracing the present moment. Jaymie, an accomplished L.A. attorney, immersing himself in the world of improv at the Annoyance Theater in Chicago.
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Why the heck not, right? Let's roll with a "buckity" life plan, sprinkling joy in every moment like confetti on a parade float, every single day. Massive kudos to him for his open-mindedness, the time he shared, and those nuggets of wisdom he dropped – all pure gold in my gratitude vault.
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