Once in awhile I like to take shelter from uncontrollable factors outdoors and pay more attention to the creative process. The last three months have been creatively frustrating for me, like writer's bock. But instead of lack of inspiration, it was doubt of ability. Sure I could take adequate pictures, but that wasn't good enough for me anymore. Where I wanted to go and where I was going were two different destinations and I was frustrated.
Frustrating as it was, irritating as it felt, the last time I felt this creatively perplexed was in September 2014 when I accidentally discovered a photographer named Brooke Shaden--a breakthrough that completely changed my artistic life forever. Trusting a breakthrough was on the horizon, I pushed theory aside and used my eyes instead of logic.
And guys...it worked. The moment I took this photograph (left) felt like a giant wave lifted me up and I could see beyond the horizon for the first time--and the weather out there is BEAUTIFUL.
Orem, Utah | Visiting the Colonial Heritage Festival is my favorite way to celebrate the Fourth of July. The festival is entirely run by volunteers -- which means when you meet somebody who's part of the festival, you know they want to be there. What they do is not easy. Some of them are on their feet in colonial-style shoes for hours at a time. Some wear full colonial garb like coats, petticoats, stockings, the works. July in Utah is sweltering hot. This year, we're even in the middle of a heat wave. And yet, there they all were with smiles on their faces and willing to let me take their picture. I have a lot of photographs from this festival at this point. Many of them are similar (still awesome, but similar). So this year I wanted to do something different: my portable studio on site. Bringing a portable flash is on location one thing. Bringing a backdrop that has to traverse a full size public park in the sun and wind is entirely another. The Portable Studio Off-Camera Fl...
Have you ever been stuck trying think of an idea, and then all of a sudden a tiny, fragile glimpse of something appears? In those moments I just want to grab it and hold on so it can't get away, but if you don't let it breathe, that poor little idea gets squished. I wanted this photo shoot with Kollene Snow to illustrate that idea. Like a lonely flower that blooms, sometimes unexpected ideas lead the way to the next one. Model: Kollene Snow Makeup: Kollene Snow Photography: Wendy Hurst Portrait
"Arrival" Self Portrait Photo: Wendy Hurst Portrait Too often I let consistency control my artistic vision and suppress whatever images come to mind that don’t meet that expectation. So today I suspended those expectations and built a scene in my kitchen to composite into an image I took on a foggy day. Creative experiences like letting go of expectations remind me of why I even fell in love with storytelling photography. Perhaps it can liberate you too! Behind the Scenes Sometimes I fake fog, but this time what you see is the real deal. I've been looking for a great image to pair with this photo I took near my house last month and a recent cloak order (I make custom cloaks...it pays for my hobbies) meant I had access to the lusciousness that is red crushed panne velvet! I pulled out a basket, set up a scenario in my kitchen and put the images together. I love how yummy the scene is and I can't wait to play with this idea more... What will your mind see ...
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