What I want to be remembered by.
There is such freedom in knowing that our art is just that. Ours. No one decides for you. You are free to choose what to express and what to communicate to the world. With that freedom comes responsibility also. Responsibility to choose carefully. Every time you put something out there for the world to see, you tell the world who you are; what moves you, what your heart harbors and loves. I have been a photographer for many years and during that time, I have expressed myself in many ways in my quest for knowing which kind of photographer I am. I have been myself, I have been others. Others? Yes. I have been inspired by other successful photographers and at times emulated their style. As of recent, I have vowed to be true to who I am and I have instilled my art in my images. That's when I have been able to provide a quality product that came from the heart.
I now feel the need to take a new direction with my work. My first love will always be children's photography and it will be one I will pursue and love forever. Life is way too short to spend it doing something we do not believe in. How many times have we all celebrated with our families and looked at old photographs? I know we do at times as a family. We laugh and remember those times with nostalgia.
I don't want to be the photographer who puts more effort in setting up backgrounds, props and lights, rather than the one that captures the moments you will eventually remember with joy. The one who can capture the laughter in your child's eyes. The joy of those special moments. I want to be that photographer. I don't ever remember pulling out a studio picture from our trunk and laughing with my family about anything else but what I was wearing at the time or how funny my hairstyle was. Then there are those pictures that show my son's first rocking chair and how happy he was with it; the one of my three sons hugging as kids and smiling in a way that you can only capture when your heart knows how to. Yes. Your photography shows when your heart is in it. Just like it does when it is not.
My commitment is now much more in tune with the direction I would like to take. Like I said. Life is way too short to do something that kills my spirit every day. I vow to never compromise my style for the sake of profit or to keep up with the very elite photographers. They have to do what makes them happy. I certainly will do what makes me happy. Don't want to waste another minute letting others dictate what should go on my viewfinder.
New projects will now feed my need for art and thirst for excellence. I will continue to capture my family and children images with my heart and soul and will continue to bring my own touch. I read somewhere where a photographer said "Find out what others are doing and don't do it". This has served me well. I don't want to be others. I want to be me. I want you to look at my images and say "That has to be Frances' picture". I respect what others do. If you choose to capture your subjects with props, backgrounds, bling, whatever, it must be what you want to do and who am I to judge you. There is a market for that type of photography. I respect those who go out of their way to find the vintage look and old town charm and integrate it in their art. And who am I to judge you. I respect those who provide the "over the mantle glossy smiles" and who am I to judge you. I respect you. Now is my turn to earn your respect.
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