I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration lately.  Where it comes from, how it feels, what happens when we follow it and where it goes when we don’t.

What does inspiration look like?

How do ideas come to us?

A few years ago, I contributed to an article in DP Magazine speaking about this same topic:

“Photographic inspiration comes to me all at once like a firework bursting in the dark sky. I get hit with a deluge of interests at the same time, and then I could go for months without finding something I want to work on. In the past, it was always hot or cold. During a time of abundance, I would race from one thing to the next, never allowing myself any time to fully develop an idea before running off to try something else. (And believe me, I wanted to try everything!) I would burn myself out, and then spend months looking for another spark. Thankfully, I’ve found another way to keep myself grounded and churning on a slow burn. When ideas come to me in a flash, I write them down and put them into my Jar of Inspiration. I choose one topic each month and spend time each day working on that mini-project. It allows me to stay grounded and consistent instead of explosive and manic. When I allow myself time to work through an idea, my photography continues to improve, and I can hone my techniques and find new processes that help me in my client work. By sticking with a schedule, inspiration stays close by my side, without consuming me in its flame.”

Recently, I’ve been taking an online class that’s geared toward Fine Art Photography and I’m excited to be starting the planning process for a series I’ll be creating surrounding inspiration.  I’ve never spent so much time preparing for a photo shoot and I’m both terrified and thrilled to begin.  What if the vision I’m trying to create from my brain doesn’t come across through my camera?  Will I be able to incorporate all the elements I’m learning about?  Do I have the technical skill to pull it off?  The only way to know is to begin.  Be on the lookout for sneak peeks and behind the scenes images as I start the process of designing my series.  In the meantime, I’d love to know what inspiration looks like and feels like to you.  Share it with me in the comments!

Inspired – Angie