A Formative Experience

I started my last day of The Photo Creators Conference waiting for the sunrise to find its way over the Tanque Verde Canyon. As I watched the light steadily increase I couldn't help but reflect on the past few days. I came to Arizona to participate in a workshop event for professional photographers to enhance their craft. Over the course of the three days, we photographed the night sky, worked with legendary photographers and rubbed elbows with pros like me from around the country. The experiences and classes focused on refining technical skills as well as interpersonal skills to improve the client experience.  These things were helpful but they were not my biggest takeaway.

My Personal Struggle

Back in 2020, I attended another photographic conference called WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographer's International). While there I was inspired to work on a personal creative project for myself that would connect my work with my values. I left Las Vegas full of big plans to make a series of images that could help propel my artistic vision forward. Two weeks later, we entered lockdown.

Over the course of the pandemic, I vacillated between panic and survival mode. Some days I would throw my hands in the air and announce I was giving up. Then I would try to do damage control by delving into other creative outlets such as fine art portraits, or mini sessions to recoup financial losses. Before I knew it, I was back in panic mode; worrying about how my four children were going to handle their school disruptions, or if a loved one would die. Both were stifling to my creative instincts and all thoughts of a personal project were simply put out of my head. When I did get the chance to think about it I felt blocked. Like many people in the early days of the pandemic, I would take long walks hoping to find a flow and come up with the missing ingredients I needed. Nothing came.

As time passed weddings were allowed again under strict circumstances and I went back to work fearful for my health but obligated to my clients and family. I would like to say that during these weddings I was finding myself in the work but the truth is I was going through the motions. Sessions and events were documented but my heart wasn't in it and I felt lost.

Creative Renewal

This sunrise moment amidst the desert cactus felt healing. During the course of the different classes, my mind kept wandering back to the creative project idea I had formulated over two years earlier, and I began to feel the puzzle pieces fall into place. I finally knew what my subject was, what story I wanted to tell and to whom. For the first time since the chaos of March 2020 I wanted to use my camera to share my soul again. For someone who feels called to work with people and create art, you cannot underestimate the value of this epiphany. And I sincerely feel I couldn't have gotten into this headspace alone. I needed to watch Lindsey Adler use hard dramatic lighting, then contemplate how to communicate my style visually and verbally with Chris Orwig. I needed Joe McNally to challenge me at lunch to be more vulnerable with my subjects, and to share who I am. I needed Kristina Sherk to expand my toolset in Photoshop so I can turn my vision into reality. I needed Eric Joseph to provide me with additional tools to help take my images to the next level. Most of all I needed to meet Roberto Valenzuela. He put the conference together and I needed to thank him for the insights that I had learned from him and all of the people who I met.

Never Stop Learning

I've taken the conference badge and hung it on the wall above my computer screen so that when I edit I can see it out of the corner of my eye and remember that photography is more than light and technical skill, it's connection. I'll be attending The Photo Creators Conference in 2023 and probably again in the years that follow and I suggest if you are someone who wants your photography and soul to be challenged, there is a place for you in the Arizona desert where that is possible. 

Below are images I photographed as a part of the conference. Like many conferences, the images are designed mostly by the instructors and we are gracefully provided an opportunity to add our own point of view. To learn more about The Photo Creators Conference visit the website. Links to all of the instructor's Instagrams are also included below. 

Roberto Valenzuela: @roberto_photo

Lindsey Adler: @lindsayadler_photo

Joe McNally: @joemcnallyphoto

Chris Orwig: @chrisorwig

Eric Joseph: @etjoseph

Kristina Sherk: @shark_pixel