Photography is a Feeling
Photo by Karen Moreland Photography
Photography is a feeling. It can’t be put into words. Yes, we can say we love a photo, we love the aspects of it that draw us in, but in my opinion, photography exudes feelings. Those feelings are what reach us, what speak to our soul, what draw us closer to each other.
In fact, this is the very thing that guides me when I shoot. I read the room, I see into the lives and personalities of everyone I get to photograph, and I let those feelings guide me. Sometimes I may feel the person or people are happy and upbeat, so I capture their energy, their joy for life, that twinkle in the eye. This tells me their story. Other times I may notice someone is more quiet, more withdrawn, they have a quiet confidence about them just waiting to be noticed. They say still waters run deep, and nothing could be closer to the truth. Often these types of people need to be captured in a more serious tone, showing their more sophisticated side.
And when it comes to families—oh my! All these feelings run deep! I get to feel the connection between a mother or father and their children, a father and mother together, or the dynamic of them as a whole. Every family is unique! And that’s what I love most about families. While it may appear on the surface that families can all be posed the same, there are subtle differences. I love to discover what makes them unique and show that in every way that I can.
Children are great examples and young children are my favorite! While mom and dad might wish their kids are better behaved and want them to pose and smile a certain way, I love to see their personalities come out! When they shyly hide behind their mother’s leg, I capture that connection with happiness. When little ones wander around and want to play in the grass or pick up rocks or flowers, I capture that. That’s who they are! Exploring the world and finding what interests them in that very moment.
I don’t need a lot when it comes to inspiration. I just need you to be you. I need to feel the feelings you have for your family and your life, just the way it is. These are the elements that make photography amazing. These are the little jewels in every session.
So while we might go into a session with a specific outcome in mind, I love to watch the session unfold naturally, and capture all those little moments in between. Yes, I do loved posed photos, they make great wall art of your beautiful family, but I also love the candid, silly, spontaneous images we capture. And you know what? Those are often clients’ favorites! And all the little moments tie an heirloom album together seamlessly.
Walking into a session with me means you are enough. You are inspiring. You are beautiful, just the way you are. Just the way you’re intended to be. It’s a misconception that people need photographers and that’s the end of the story. No, photographers need people too, not just to photograph. We need to experience the joy and love your family brings you. We need it to remind ourselves that we are blessed in this life beyond measure, we all have reasons to wake up in the morning, to push ourselves past our limits, to be incredible. Our families do that for us. Your family does that for me too.
When I say photography is a feeling, it’s not just me feeling like we’re getting good images, it’s a true feeling of love and connection and abundance in this life. And how great is that that we are able to gain all that from taking the time to capture what means the most to us in this world?
