Be Yourself

The reason I so enjoy photographing people is connecting to different personalities and their life stories. It’s fascinating to me. Maybe its cliche to say we are all connected in the human experience but I find its true. Beyond having human bodies, breathing the same air or any warm and fuzzy sentiment a greeting card could convey, its the human experience of life that moves each of us through various filters. From emotional, physical, mental and spiritual lenses we draw our perspectives and share those in order to strengthen the human network. 

I see it as we all have a purpose for being here. Yes, even the people that annoy us have a purpose. The trick for most people is discovering what that purpose is individually and how to go about translating that into everyday life in concert with society and commerce. 

Sometimes people are lucky and just know as children what they are here to do, what their life path is. We think that if we don’t know by a certain age that somehow that makes us less than. However the feeling of uncertainty makes you feel, often it’s a matter of timing. Each of our journeys is different and how you arrive at your discovery has treasures along the path each as unique as the human being that’s on it. You and I could have the same purpose but our trip advisor could have completely different routes with distinct vistas for us to experience hence making what we offer palatable to different audiences. It is possible to be on your path earlier in life and then midstream get a detour either by design or because you’ve been rocked to the core and don’t believe in your own truth. Either is apart of a journey and not a mistake. Its also possible the uncertainty comes from having adopted someone else’s idea of what your purpose is and you haven’t been on your own true path. 

When photographing people I can generally sense when someone is connected to their purpose, knows themselves, and is comfortable. When a subject is not, I might read their Linked In Profile. It can be telling in a lack of focused direction and confidence in their marketability. And there in lays the point of this piece, if you’ve been floundering, then finding your purpose and believing in yourself again is your next step.

I truly believe we all know instinctively, and with review of our lives find our core individual purpose. Sometimes the Ego interjects itself to want more grandiose titles or attention… and sometimes the Ego plays the doubting game with our minds. Regardless of how you got to feeling unsure of yourself or fickle what you need to do is stop the distraction, get quiet, go inside yourself and ask some questions. What have you been doing when you’ve been the happiest? The most fulfilled? What feels right, fits to a tee? What intrigues you? Who are the type of people you feel the most comfortable with and who supports what it is you love to do? 

Asking yourself questions before you fall asleep can reveal truths upon waking. Or a long walk out in Nature can be fruitful. The process of reconnecting can take time or it might come in a conversation with a friend. I suggest sitting down with pencil and pad to just write whatever comes to mind. Do things that feed you like listening to inspiring music, going places that bring your comfort and just taking the time to watch the light moving across the room. When sitting or walking make sure you feel your feet touching the floor this will help you ground your energy. Find the peace and stillness, then open yourself to the answers. Whatever you do, speak kindly to yourself.

Back in high school most of my friends were going to college for teaching. That is what I was inclined to do. Yet art teachers didn’t get much respect from their own profession. I ended up managing high volume dental practices until one evening while enjoying my hobby of photographing live music, the lightening bolt came out of the sky and I knew I wanted to photograph People … and people who were doing what they loved to do. I won’t go into the long version of the journey preferring to distill it down, I discovered my purpose is and has been to teach people to see the beauty in all things. That means within themselves, within others, in Nature, places and things. It’s the true essence of something that makes it beautiful. The vehicle for my purpose is photography. I have always had an affinity to photography as an artistic medium, but it made even more sense for my generation and commerce. 

To this day I read books and continue partaking in classes in subjects I am drawn to. I find that whatever I do, feeds back into my purpose and my ability to see with even greater depth. It is an on going process. I don’t just snap pictures, I co create with clients so the photographs have more to them then surface information, that’s the difference. That’s how I have honored my craft, the vehicle and the purpose. 

When you reawaken to your purpose and a vehicle to apply your purpose through, the position and market make themselves apparent. When you are actively engaged in your purpose in that way, it is never “work” it is never fear based. It is you shining your light in a way only you can do it and that makes you highly valuable. Do not be afraid to live life from your purpose and don’t believe the doubters inside or outside your head. You are here for a reason and that will find support. All you have to do is allow it to unfold. If you find you are still having trouble then look inside to see what beliefs you have that block your progress. Pursue your passion and if for some reason you don’t feel you have one, take a class or read a book on something you’re curious about. Follow those cues. The purpose will be there, the vehicle may modify or change. Just remember to walk any path, you need to put one foot in front of the other for a forward motion. Its more than okay to be yourself. 

Karen Ollis, Karen Ollis Photo

Suggested reading: Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday