DISCOVER YOUR PATH OF CREATIVITY AND JOY!

Have you ever thought about creativity as a path to joy and fun? That special spark that instantly lights up your face with a smile? Do you ever ask yourself, ‘Why do I photograph?’ Is your photography bringing you joy and happiness?

I truly believe that we are all hardwired to create. To make photographs. To share our work. Impressionist photography is a way to celebrate and explore everything around us. There is a real magic in the process of making photographs, and great satisfaction comes from finding fresh combinations and learning something new. You stay in the moment and have fun in the process.

What if you constantly asked yourself this question: “How much fun can I have?” This is a powerful, joyful way to engage in your life and your photography. Start playing this beautiful game of play, discovery, and response.

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

How much fun could you have if you challenged yourself to use tools in a completely different way than they are intended? Perhaps you decide to use a wide-angle lens for close up photography? What if you took an image by tossing your camera in the air? How much fun would it be if you transform colour in your images by playing with white balance settings in your camera? Would it be fun to photograph one subject in fifty unique ways? When you on a photoshoot, play this game. Ask yourself, “How much fun could I have if _?” Fill in the blank—remember, anything goes!

Be on the lookout for a creative surprise, that unexpected jolt of happiness when you are confronted with something new, while you are working with your camera. The best way to accomplish this is to spend more time in play mode. Think of your art practice as a wonderful pastime. As you approach your photography with this childlike state of mind, you are setting yourself up for interesting problem solving. Intuitive responses come easily when you look for delight and joy. Come to your “create space” with an attitude of joy and discovery, and your artistic moments will be full, playful, and plentiful.

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play. —Henri Matisse

Knowing that it is only a fun game allows you to photograph freely and without rules. We are designed to have our ideas travel naturally through us. The more we “get out of the way,” the more our sparks can fly and do their brilliant dance. So, try anything. Express and explore. Each “in the moment” choice will lead to the next image and the next playful decision. Impressionist images are meant to be made organically to create interest, depth and mystery.

You can find beauty everywhere, if you only open your eyes. Who would have thought that a plastic salad spoon can be transformed into a sunset? Who would have thought that unmade bed can look like a dramatic landscape?

Working this way allows you to be fully alive in your photographic process. You will find unexpected shapes and new colours. Delight in exciting, fresh combinations of lines, shapes, and light. You will discover new solutions, knowing that each image will inform your next move. Look for lyrical lines that overlap the shapes and colours. You will notice interesting abstractions emerging in your images as you photograph. Creativity lets you put your emphasis on freedom and artistic flow.

All creative people want to do the unexpected. —Hedy Lamarr

The more images you create, the more new doors will open with each experience you try. You will learn some exciting things on the way: try out new techniques, play, travel, and be inspired by the colour and light, sounds and flavours of all types of wonderful things you meet along the way. If you trust yourself in your creative pursuits, anything is possible.

A big part of following your creative path is saying “Yes”. If something feels right, then why not go for it? “Yes” takes you places. “Yes” brings you fun. How wonderful it is to see your life as an impressionist photographer and artist revealing itself to you, day by day! So, I encourage you to say “Yes” to YOU! Your dreams, your feelings, your intuition, your big, delicious desires. Ask yourself along the way, “How much fun can I have?” Why not? It’s your perfect path! Take your camera. Capture the world around you. Play, share, have fun!