Put the photographer in the photos

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” ― Brene Brown

I once read an interview of a photographer advocating her love for work created by artists who were willing to be vulnerable. At the time, I wondered if she meant good artists were those who were willing to expose all the flaws and pains in life. After spending a year and a half re-calibrating direction for my photography, I think I have a better understanding of she meant when speaking of artists who were vulnerable.

I come to find out “who we are matters” and it is perhaps one of the most enlightening elements that can help setting our work apart. When I look at other photographers’ work, I find myself most drawn to images that show the personality of the artist. I have great admiration for artists who put themselves on the line to make their work. Instead of solely focusing on technical perfection, the images I enjoy seeing the most are those that are open and emotional. When photographers make work that are influenced by their life stories, the joy and pain that makes up their life experience, their work stand out because they are not afraid to speak their truth and be seen. Of course, it doesn’t mean we have to air all our dirty laundry in order to have our work taken seriously. But when we are willing to say who we are, digging deep and make work from deep within, it is more likely our audience sit up and pay attention.

Photography is essential to my well-being because it is one of the few things in life I can wholeheartedly call it my own. It is perhaps the only activity that gives me the opportunity to make something solely for my own pleasure and be able to claim full credit. So much of life is directed outward nowadays. With the rampant social media culture, it is easy to get lost in the misguided battle for accolades and acceptance. Our creative space should be viewed as our sanctuary, a sacred space for us to be honoring our true self and not having the care as to how we are perceived. It is a space where we can explore who we are and understand where we stand in this vast space of the universe. Instead of feeling the need to conform, we should hold tight to what we believe, safeguard what make us unique in each of our own right.

One may ask “how do we put a photographer in the photos?” I think the first step is to honor our vulnerability – be open and sincere about who we are as human beings. Be honest about what you care about and what makes you tick, knowing the choices you make do not always make your work popular, more likely than not you will have to go it alone, knowing your work may only reach a niche audience who have empathy for what you do. When you reach the audience who truly care about what you stand for, they are likely to be the most supportive.

It takes courage to stay open and be vulnerable with our creative practice. We may not be the most popular artists in our modern-day culture that cherishes art making as though it is a popularity contest. In the end I find the benefits of honoring who we are with our creative practice immense. When we make art that we feel deeply about, it feeds our soul and makes the creative process more joyful. Our work becomes more expressive when we put our personality in them. In the long run, I believe it will give us a better chance of self-fulfillment.