The Inner Path of Photography

We yearn for the taste of the sacred…and through our cameras discover it, the world, and ourselves.

Category: Inspiration

“I wish I had tons of money./ Then I’d be free./ Free to do what?/ Everything.”

From Patti Smith’s book “Just Kids”, telling a story about the artist Robert Mapplethorpe:

“Robert’s private mantra: I wish I had tons of money./Then I’d be free./Free to do what?/Everything.”

Imagine being free to do everything. I can feel it, the loosening of  “shoulds” or “can’ts” that keep me limited.

What would I be doing that I’m not doing now if I really could do everything?

That’s worth reflecting on, and then acting on, because of course, much of what we can do doesn’t require money in the initial steps. We just keep ourselves from doing it by saying “it costs too much” or look to the future thinking we won’t have the money to do the grand end point.

One step at a time. Celebrate each step. Feel the real freedom and grasp it with your hunger.

“Photography is about being exquisitely present.”

– “Photography is about being exquisitely present.”

(Joel Meyerowitz, from Phaedon 55 photography book centered around his work.)

(Here’s a review and here’s a link to the Phaedon Store with more information.)

A Fun “Muvee” from 2005

I have lots of creative projects that I’ve done that rarely were shared, because it was just too complicated.

But now you can upload things in so many different places and venues in minutes!

So here’s one of the first “muvees” that I created after visiting a good friend of mine that had been my neighbor in Houston and moved with her children to Alexandria, Louisiana.

Such a fun way to combine personal photography, music, and movement, and then have a gift to give my host.

I posted it on YouTube:

A Visit to Shannon (Mardis Gras Time!)

I make these professionally now, either as an addition to museum quality prints for my clients, or as an intentional endpoint from our photo shoot.

More samples to come!

What about you? Are you sharing your work with others? Let me know where you like to invite others to see your creativity.

“For art sings of God, and ultimately belongs to him…”

“In the end, truth will be found in his work, the corporeal body of the artist. It will not fall away. Man cannot judge it. For art sings of God, and ultimately belongs to him.”

(Patti Smith, “Just Kids”)

Just finished reading, “Just Kids”, Patti Smith’s memoir of her life with Robert Mapplethorpe. A beautiful book, reflecting the evolution of a mystical relationship, and a passionate commitment to one’s own art.