A little bit about inspiration...

-S

People are always asking us, "Where do you get your ideas for your pictures?"

I know sometimes that question arises because some of our ideas can seem so off the wall sometimes (client: "you want me to what?!")

haha...oh goodness...

:)

but I also know that sometimes it arises because people like what they see.

To start, here is my favorite definition of "inspire"

inspire: to breathe life into

That sounds so eloquent and beautiful. I love the way that is written because when I am inspired that is exactly how I feel. I feel alive! My own personal definition is a lot less pretty and probably goes a little like this: "Oooooh I like that." followed by an open-mouthed stare....come on, you guys know what I mean. :)

Anyways...there are several places I like to get that beautiful (ha!) open-mouthed stare from, but here are the main ones:

-I love tearing pages from fashion magazines! (David Yurman's jewelry ads never ever dissapoint!)
-I really like taking inspiration from movies and music videos. It's fun for me to catch on to the different angles and how videographers can really set a mood simply by composition.
-Other photographers (blogstalking...doing random word searches google image...)
-Artwork. Erin and I are both artists and love art, both modern and old. A lot of people like to take pictures and turn them into paintings, so why couldn't a person do the reverse?

I like to pick up on the composition and lighting from various sources and put different ideas together to make an image my own. I love the challenge and experimental part of finding an image I love and then figuring out ways to create something like it.

Although there is a lot of searching this way, there are also those random moments when I come across an image that practically hits me over the head that I wish I would have taken. Like the one below.

So what provoked this post was when my mom presented this photo to me last week of my grandmothers wedding. It took my breath away for several reasons.
1) This is not a typical photo for back then. There is nothing "posey-posey" about it!
2)Not only was this not a typical photo, but my grandmother had it printed in an 8x10, so she also was a rare one to appreciate the artistry of the image.
3)I love the motion, life and detail in the image...my grandmother's veil, her expression, her mothers worried expression (typical of a bride's mother!), her father's tie blowing and the cigarette dangling from his lip... I just love it. It truely captures a moment.

It was simply inspiring to me.


I have realized the thing that has helped mold my creativity the most and help me find my way as a photographer is just simply doing what I want with my pictures. I know that sounds silly at first, but when I first started I felt like I had to do what my clients wanted me to do or what was happening in the industry at the moment. Things didn't become more succesful (and a lot more enjoyable) for me until I started doing what I wanted instead of what I felt like I should do.

The absolute best thing that can happen after all of that is finding a client who shares the same eye. Erin and I absolutely love that, and get so excited when we come across those people. We sincerely appreciate their trust!

So, even if you are curious about where we get our ideas (which we are more than happy to share with you) make sure you find what inspires you, and then create work that gives you that same feeling.

Have a beautiful Tuesday!

-S