Why I Continue To Create Art Outside Of The Studio...
Every year for the past 25 years, I've taken on a major creative "self-assignment" for the purpose of generating the creative energy that I use throughout the year to provide my clients with "my best work". While that may sound a bit altruistic, I'll admit it goes beyond that... it goes to the core of my lifelong creative journey.
As anyone in the creative field knows, there are many different way that artists find inspiration, motivation and drive. For me, it's always been to explore "assignments" beyond the typical parameters of a studio photographer. In the case of my most recent "self assignment", I explored the activities, lives and energies of a group of dedicated men who devote their free time to an exploration of the Civil War.
In addition to civil war battle reenactment, these authentic westerners also had a complete encampment that allowed for great interaction, including conversations and story-telling. The event took place in Virginia City, Nevada, in a very rustic, mountainous environment that required energy, endurance and heart. is where these guys came from
I was fortunate enough to be invited into an "immersion" with these men, giving me the ability to spend time around their encampment of old, white canvas tents and capture their images as they interacted with the townspeople and one another. I spent much time getting to know each of them before diving into the portraiture that you see at the top of this blog post. It's through that quality time, where I examine a subject, get to fully understand all of the dynamics, that then allows me to pick up my camera and capture something meaningful, rather than "just another photo".
It’s all a part of my ongoing education, and my diving into the passion I still feel for this business. It also reinforces in me that it's "the content that sells the story" and it's knowing your subject intimately that allows your full creativity to shine through!
Watch my blog for future posts about my "creative self-assignments" and feel free to contact me if you'd like to learn more about this Civil War project!