So I Was Hangin' Out....

What Up World?!

I know it's been forever since I've posted and, let's be honest, that's just ridiculous.

So I was just flipping through some of my older work and I realized that I've never REALLY showcased anything older then when this blog was created.

If you follow me on instagram (which I hope you all do! Uhm....@humbletakes...just in case you don't) then you already know this whole shpeel (Is that a word? If not, I just *officially* made it a word. You may not know this, but I'm incredibly influential in the word creating world. Hate to brag.)

OK, anyway...if you aren't following me on insta -yet- let me explain.

As I was looking at some of the old shoots I've done, before I ever really thought photography could be my full time job, I feel like I was much more comfortable with my own style. Then when I started getting really excited about the prospect that photography could be, like, WHAT. I. DO., I started looking at a billion photography blogs/websites/facebook pages/instagrams/blah blah blah...

As I was seeing all of the absolutely amazing talent that's in the world I started feeling incredibly self-conscious and unsure of my skills and style. I would see photographers and think things like, "There is no way I could be a professional photographer. I can't compete with these people. They are all so incredible. I don't have a chance in this industry."

Consequently, I stopped trusting my own eye and gut. That sounds weird..."eye and gut". Say that five time fast...with a German accent. Eye and gut. Eyengut, Eyngut. Hm.

Moving on, I feel like my work suffered a little because I was trying so hard to do what the amazing photographer so-and-so would do. Or capture light like Mr. Photography Genius Lightypants. I feel like I lost a little bit of my own personality...like my work wasn't really representing me anymore. 

I got really frustrated trying to be someone else.

Especially because photography is my creative expression to the world. 

How sad it is to think that I was "expressing" myself....as someone else?  

I'm slowly, but surely, working on becoming ME. 

Becoming comfortable as the artist that I am. 

There will always be photographers that I think are better than me.

There will always be photographers that I think I am better than.

There will always be times when I'm tough on myself for not reaching my creative potential on a project.

And there will always be times when I feel like I knocked it out of the park.

I'm ready for all of these, "always".

I guess all I'm trying to say is: Be you.

In whatever outlet you have, whatever you're passionate about, whatever inspires and motivates you.

Just be you.

Someone, somewhere appreciates your style and gift. Make sure they get the chance to appreciate you. If you modify how you express yourself because you like how someone else does it, then we all miss out on the opportunity to appreciate how YOU express your genuine self. Don't do that to us. We don't deserve. What have we ever done to you?

The shoot featured here was about three or four years ago. I like seeing some of the stylistic changes I've made, don't like seeing others.

I absolute love and adore this couple (Jared and Corrianne). I had such an amazing time shooting them and they made it so easy.

They're just so in love! I didn'teven have to tell them to "act happy and in love", not even once. Yes, I do have to say that sometimes.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and let me know what you think. Can you tell a difference in my work from then to now?

Shoot ya Later :)