Saturday 3 December 2011

Weekend Ramblings | How Much is Too Much?

I started this blog as a simple girl who'd picked up a camera and fallen in love with possibility. The first things I properly photographed were a crazy pair of heels I own, a rose and some nick backs around the house. And because, in the beginning that is, I didn't have 'shoots' to blog, I blogged about me. My life. My face wash and random musings. Basically, everything that inspires me. Honestly, it became a way of documenting my journey, of putting myself out there, of holding myself accountable to a dream.

I've had a few people tell me, or imply, that sharing so much of my personal life on what is essentially a business platform, is a bad idea. That people want to see photos, and examples of work, and that should speak for itself. And so for a while I considered changing how I was doing things.... Cutting out the personal posts and keeping it only photography orientated. And my heart ached a little. That is, until I found Jasmine Star's blog. I learnt a very valuable lesson: Photography is a creative industry and occupation. Your photography is essentially nothing without who YOU are as a person, or at least empty of the emotions and passion that drive you to take a photography. Particularly in the beginning when you're still learning the technique, and finding your own personal style. The way in which Jasmine wrote set my heart free. I realized that by sharing parts of my life online, I'll be able to attract like-minded clients, and that makes my heart sing :) Because as much as I want to find the 'right' clients, I want to be the 'right' photographer, the right person, to be entrusted with the immense privilege of capturing someone's precious moments.

But this leads to the question....how much is too much? What can I share, what is going to be uplifting and honest, but also not inappropriate? Because you see, I want to share my journey, but at the same time it would also be ridiculous and daft to write long whiney posts, or complain about challenging clients. My answer, and this is just really what suits me, is that I choose only to write and upload that which is positive, uplifting, beneficial and a good reflection of what I want my attitude to this industry, and my life, to be.

And so...you will continue to see posts about my face wash ;) I will write about my craziness, my embarrassing moments, my love of 'love'. I will rave about flare, because it's one of the most stunning gifts God ever gave me! And I shall do my best to be as true to myself as is possible :) Warts and all ;)

xx

10 comments:

  1. Was having that same debate, but in the the end, maybe only in 5 or 10 years, people will choose me for me, and the bargain will be that I take awesome pics too! Keep sharing. Half the challenge to getting amazing images is having a connection with the people you photograph and having them feel comfortable. Sharing will do this.

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  3. Sorry I deleted the comment as I has so many spelling errors!
    Here it is again:

    Really Tif, you are doing the right thing and you have the right attitude. I "choose" you as our photographer simply for two reasons: 1) your amazing work 2) YOU. I wanted someone I could connect to, someone we would feel comfortable with and someone who I feel would "get" me. Since you share somethings about yourself and your life on your blog, I felt drawn to you and that is what ultimately what I based my decision on.

    I could never have done a photoshoot with a photgrapher whose work was amazing but made me uncomfortable or who I didn't click with.

    So I say bravo to you. I think your blog is perfect the way it is-you don't share too much, you don't get too personal and make others feel uncomfortable but you share just enough for people to get a sense of who Tif is and that speaks volumes for the type of work you do.

    People know they will get something really special because of your passion and love for what you do.

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  4. Wow wow wow, your words leave me speechless Bonnie! I'm sooo blessed to have met you, and I am incredibly grateful that you 'saw' the things in me that I'm trying to share with people about who I am through my blog :) You are the biggest sweetheart EVER!!
    xx

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  5. Hey Tiffany:) I think you've made the right choice by sticking to writing about yourself...when it comes to weddings, clients aren't just choosing a photographer, they're choosing the person they'll spend more time with than anyone on their wedding day. The person who will talk to them when they're nervous, who has to make them feel comfortable and calm...being the photographer is a bigger thing than just taking the pictures, and too many couples figure that out too late. Let them see who you are...let them see your pictures and your spirit and give them the benefit of having a better idea of who they will be spending the most important day of their lives with - I think that giving them a piece of you that isn't just your work will do nothing other than bless them later! Nice post lady:) xxx much love

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  6. oh, and by the way. There are many talented photographers around, all with their own opinions. What I've learnt in the last year or so, is that you need to be confident enough in yourself to be able to discern which advise to take, and which advice to leave...what works for someone else, may not sit true with you. At the end of the day, you have to be able to answer to yourself, and be comfortable in the decisions you have made:) go with ya' gutt I say!

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  7. Well done babe!! Always stay true to you!! XXXX

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  8. Thank you lovelies so very much!! xx

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  9. When nothing else can make me laugh... very often your blogs do! I love your wit and your honesty. You keep it real and it keeps me coming back to see your pictures and find out the latest in your life. Lovin' you more all the time :)

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