Style

I just got back from a great conference in Phoenix with some fabulous photographers - Red Leaf Studios from Canada, Mark Stein, Terry McKaig, and Stace Chomlack. This is only my second photography workshop, but I'm always surprised to find that the most significant lesson I've learned from each isn't what I expected. This weekend I learned a lot about style.

I started my journey as a photographer with a sense of what style of photography I liked (which is why I sought out Kim as a mentor), but then it seemed that the more photographers' sites I found, the more I compared and felt like, "Maybe I should have really bright colors like this photographer, or lots of vintage textures like that photographer, or studio lighting like so-and-so, or have more funky stuff like..." you get the picture.

This may have already been obvious to everyone else, but I really noticed this weekend how these photographers' styles were an extension of their personalities. Yeah, duh, I know. Terry is super hip and stylish and her photography shows that, especially with her seniors. Richard and Amy (Redleaf) are beautiful and graceful (seriously, Amy walks like she's ballet dancing) and sweet, and you see that in their images. Stace is fun and outgoing and it's obvious when you see her family sessions. I noticed that photographers who use lots of bright colors in their photography wear them in real person! And people who use a lot of textures and overlays in their post-processing wear a lot of fun accessories.

Which led me to take a look at me. What did I wear to the conference? Jeans, t-shirt, sandals and minimal jewelry. Which is me. That's what I see in my photography, when I really allow me to be myself: casual. simple. easy. Not a lot of perfect posing or props. And when I embrace my style, instead of comparing myself to everyone else, I'm happy with my work.

I think that's important as a consumer too. Find a photographer who fits with your style. Who you are. If you like perfect posing and lots of props, that's ok. Head for a studio - there are lots of good ones in town. And don't apologize for it. There's nothing wrong with that. Don't try to make yourself like a more spontaneous style. You'll drive yourself crazy.

Anyway, I'll post a few more images from Phoenix later, but leave you with just this one for now.