A Photographer’s Reflection on 2021

2021 was the year I moved from being known as “the one who likes to be behind the camera” during family functions to actually taking the title of “photographer”. This transition has been filled with numerous ups and downs which have helped me grow into the photographer I am now. 

A huge up was when I purchased my first DSLR in February days before my daughter’s first birthday. The level of excitement I had was almost palpable. How hard can it possibly be to figure out how to use this thing within 7 days just in time for her birthday celebration, I thought? How quickly I realised how wrong I was as my arrogance was soon brought to light as photo after photo appeared noisy, dark and just not quite right, despite my best efforts to set the scene and force my kids to “stay in position”, “smile”, “look up” and “not to poke your sister in the eye”. From this experience I came away with two nuggets of wisdom; firstly the obvious point, I may have underestimated the complexity of using my new camera and secondly my attempt at scripting a photo led to a miserable and grumpy family.

I spent the spring and summer learning my bearings with my new gadget. The camera manual and ‘Dummies guide to a DSLR Camera’ became good friends as well as numerous photography YouTube videos and podcasts. Subbsequently, the time came when I finally felt I had amassed enough armour to enrol onto a photography course. With excitement I followed every module and enjoyed walking alongside likeminded individuals who were seeking equalise the photos they had in their mind with the photos they actually took. The course was brilliant in helping me get to grips with how to shoot manually and additionally a more nuanced discovery was that finding my photographic style might take a while. However the course certainly set me off on that journey of discovery. 

A consistent message I have heard over the last year from different photographers is that photography is more than the equipment in which use meaning that a good photographer with any odd camera, even an old model, can produce inspiring photos. I have found this to be true seeing that as my knowledge and experience has increased the quality of photos I have been able to take using the same gear has also improved. However, purchasing the nifty-fifty, a well recommended standard prime lens, was a game changer. I could finally produce images with that oh so desirable creamy bokeh effect and also not being able to zoom in and out with this lens has meant I have had to learn to move around to get the composition I want. Nervous as I was at the beginning, I have loved getting to interact with my subjects; people cakes or nature which I think has really helped grow my confidence.

 

Another significant shift was moving from photographing just my husband and children to photographing other families and groups of people at events. The first opportunity was taking photos to be used for our church’s website. The brief was simple; reportage type photos showing people naturally enjoying being part of the church. Surely that would be straightforward enough. No forced smiles equals  happy subjects which would equal stunning images capturing the church as it is now. To my disappointment my first attempt was a big failure as my photos did not meet the mark for numerous reasons. I had decided to go for the approach of pointing and clicking as much as possible with the thought that surely the more photos I took the greater the likelihood of having some decent ones amongst the bunch. How wrong I was. My composition, lighting and settings just didn’t work out and I soon realised it was far better to take my time to take fewer well thought out images taking into consideration the skills I have learnt through the course.

My first organised family shoot came soon after the website photos so to say I was nervous would be an understatement. I worked hard to take every opportunity afforded to me to take my camera out, watched numerous behind the scene videos of other photographers and even revisited my course notes. The shoot took place in the comfort of my client’s home and I was so thankful to have had a gentle easing into family photography as the family were so relaxed and just enjoyed doing what they normally would do on a typical Saturday morning and invited me to join in their world and capture some beautiful memories for them.

Moving forward into 2022 I am looking forward to more photoshoots and also learning more about how to use light effectively to enhance my photos. I do think I’ll continue to take photos in a documentary style for now as I do really love capturing unscripted moments that take you back to the scene to witness that uncontrollable belly laugh or the pout filled with disappointment for not having been allowed that last piece chocolate.