When I’m in a creative rut, I’ve found that play is the best medicine. Take a minute to get away from the pressure, expectation, and obligation that naturally comes with client work. Just shoot something for you.
This was the most fun I’d had at a shoot because Nadia was not only a rockstar at her craft, but she was also unknowingly doing a stellar job at being my personal doubt killer. I had ideas but they were different from what I normally shot so I was feeling apprehensive. When I’d hesitantly tell her what I wanted to try, she would answer with an enthusiastic YES before I had time to doubt myself and my vision. Every. Single. Time. It was incredibly freeing. And I learned something important. I learned that if I want to make art that really speaks to me, I need to trust my vision enough to give it a voice/shape/substance. And most importantly I need to say YES… even if I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. The actual process of creating is where the value comes from for the artist, not the finished product.
So, if you’re in a rut, go out and play! And if the idea of going out and making something for fun by yourself is a little daunting, bring someone along who could use a little playtime too. And I promise, if you pretend you have a pocket sized Nadia answering all of your crazy ideas with an enthusiastic YES, you’ll make something great.
