A couple of weeks ago, an idea started to percolate for a photography series that I wanted to shoot. I had this visual shot in my mind that really stood out and I gave it space to roll around in my brain from there. As it rolled around, it started to ask questions. Questions like, what am I? What story am I telling? What feelings will I elicit?
These questions started to prod other parts of my creative life. I began thinking about my writing and my writing implements that are gathering dust on a shelf in my apartment. I started to think about my experimental short films that are begging to be captured. I am so fortunate to have all of these modes of expression at my disposal but, to some degree, I sit inactive because of these primary questions - what is the story I’m wanting to tell?
Today I went out for a drive and found a lovely rocky beach. The sun had warmed the air enough for me to sit in my tee shirt. I enjoyed the warmth on my skin and the smell of salt that gently tickled my nostrils. The rhythmic waves crashing acted like a metronome to the soothing symphony of joy played out in the scenery around me.
I’d equipped myself with my cameras and a costume to start shooting this new series. I didn’t know what I would walk away with but thought that digging into the work might help me to answer some of the questions that had been coming up for me. I sat and played for the better part of an hour and walked away with a few test shots that I was happy with. None of them quite nailed the visual aesthetic I was going for - I’ll need to think a bit more about the specifics of making these images pop, but the story started to appear, so I called it a success.
I don’t know how long I’ll spend on this series. A part of me thinks it may be something that tags along with me over the next few years, if not for the duration of my life. I’ve let go of needing to know its ending, though. When and if it feels like it’s time to close it off and call it done, I’m sure I’ll know.
