Fujifilmxpro2

Courage to Change

There comes a time in our lives when we need to concentrate on the things that matter. And for me, these past six months have been that time.

Photography has been pushed further and further down the pecking order of the things that matter.

My photography opportunities have become less and less, and I was becoming more frustrated with the lack of time with the camera. I knew something needed to change, so I had to decide. Concentrate on one thing at a time, and the photography will return.

I have made some changes to my life. I decided I needed a career change. With any decision, there needs to be action.

In November, I decided to go back to college to train as a counsellor. I knew there would be sacrifices and one of them being my photography.

Juggling photography with work, home life, and college was always going to be tricky. Something needed to change, and photography had to be sacrificed to put all of my free time into pursuing a change of direction.

Making the little changes have paid off as I already have a new job. It will be a significant change, but it is one that I am relishing.

Photography will always be that little piece of escapism that I need to keep the dark clouds away, but there comes a time when we need to step back a look at the bigger picture.

It is about changing the things I can and not worrying about the things I have no control over. Staying mentally and physically well will always be paramount, and if I'm to stay well, there must be the courage to change.

Keep the Faith

KV

The Darwell Wedding.

31st October 2021 was the day we finally got to celebrate the wedding of Abbie and Matt.

And what a day! I do not think I have ever been to a wedding that was such an emotional rollercoaster as this one. There were tears of joy and tears of relief that we finally got here to see the new Mr and Mrs Darwell tie knot.

Over the last 12 – 15 months, there have been ups and downs and questions of whether will it happen or will it be cancelled. But just over 12 months on from the original date, it was all systems go. And what a celebration it was.

Admittedly I have a connection with Abbie and Matt as they are both good friends of mine who I love dearly but to be caught up in this flowing tide of emotion was something I have never experienced before.

Seeing Abbies Mum and Dad in tears when they finally got to see their daughter in the wedding dress was something I will never forget.

The one that got everyone was the wonderful poem read out by Harriet, the eldest daughter of Abbie & Matt. In the end, there was not a dry eye in the house. As a photographer, you try to detach yourself from the day's emotions, but even I had a lump in my throat.

Hopefully, I did them proud with the photography as I tried my best to capture the day's emotion.

It is a wedding that stay with me for a long time, and I have no doubt it will stay with everyone who was there to finally see the new Mr and Mrs Darwell.

Good luck for the future, you beautiful people.

Keep the Faith

KV

Walking Meditation.

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Open Space.

 

Something about the open space on a deserted beach brings a sense of calm to my mind and body. I get this connection to not only nature but also to something more spiritual.

Don’t worry; I’m not about to go all fire and brimstone.

Whilst walking about in this vast open space, I started listening to my surroundings and tuned in to the sound of the sea and the wind. I would like to call it walking meditation.

We all have busy lives but for me, I need some time away from that constant battle with the reality of life. And what can be more peaceful than walking on an empty beach or even an empty field with just a camera for company?

Practising a little bit of mindfulness now and again can improve our mental well-being and allow our heads to connect to our surroundings, and bring some temporary peace of mind.

Keep the Faith.

KV.

St Anne’s Beach.

Xpro2 35mm

It has been a while.

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Over these past few months, I have put my photography on the back burner.

This was not really through choice but more of a need as I navigated my way through a very stressful house move.

I did manage to get out with the camera but my mind and enthusiasm were not there and this was having an even more negative effect on my photography. So I decided to step back and wait till I was fully settled in my house.

Over time I could sense that I was losing interest in photography and I must admit I thought of packing it in. Thankfully that never happened.

What have I learnt from this hiatus from photography?

I do feel more invigorated and in some ways, this little break has given me time to press the restart button. But It has also shown me that I can spend too much time chasing the perfect shot and not enough time enjoying the process of photography.

I can sense a shift in my photography and I feel I’m on the cusp of a change.

My latest work “Wanderings” is something that I’m excited about as it is different from my street work and at this moment in time this is what I want to do. And who knows there may be a book to follow.

At the end of the day, it is about doing things that make you happy because we only have today as tomorrow is not here.

Keep the Faith

KV

Do not press delete.

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Over the years, I have learned many photography lessons, but the best piece of advice that I took on board was never delete your pictures.

I'm talking about the ones you took, and at the time, you didn't understand why you lifted the camera to your eye and composed that shot. There was a reason you pressed the shutter at that moment; you probably did not understand why, but in a few years, you will look at that image and understand the reason.

Things change, we change, and our photographic eye changes all the time.

In my previous blog, I mentioned that I would be taking a break from street photography. My gut instinct is telling me that this is the time to look for a new path. I must admit I'm enjoying the process, and I feel my photography is starting to take a new direction.

If you see something that is interesting, then take the picture, but most of all, do not press delete.

Keep the Faith

KV

Father in Law

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Happy retirement to my Father in Law.

It was a good opportunity to get the camera out and take a couple of portraits.

I think he will miss the working day, but I have no doubt he will soon get into the swing of having a seven day weekend.

Enjoy your retirement.

 

Images were taken with the FujiFilm XPRO2.