(Imperfect)Self Kindness.

This is the first summer that I am allowing myself a little self kindness and and giving myself permission to relax and have fun and not be the perfect photographer. Normally during any summer activity or while on vacation I always had to make sure I had just the right shot or did my best to make sure I had the correct angle, lighting and settings. I even found myself stressing on occasion because I just knew that people would be expecting these fantastic vacation photos from me so they had to be perfect.  I mean, what would people think if I didn't show them these amazing vacation photos? Would they think less of me as a photographer?

My husband has pointed out on more than one occasion that it's okay to leave the camera at home (never will that happen) or if I insisted on bringing the camera (always), then I should just have fun, snap pictures here and there and not try to get that one perfect shot.  It doesn't matter what others think, he has said before, do it for yourself. This is a family vacation, not a photographic vacation.  I have to admit, it did get exhausting at times.  Now? I'm not over thinking my shots and just shooting from the hip, both literally and figuratively (hence the little sand man above). I'm showing myself a little self kindness and turning off those negative thoughts.  This is my imperfect summer and you know what? I'm okay with that. Giving myself permission to not be perfect with my photography feels pretty darned good.

Please, won't you share your imperfections of summer with us? We'd really love to see them.

Comments

[Patty Reiser]

I actually just returned from a vacation in Utah with my family. Even though I managed to take over 1200 photos, there were a few times throughout the week I purposely put away my camera so I could simply take in the sights around me and spend time with my family. I know there are plenty of imperfect images amongst the 1200 but I am still processing them.

So far I have blogged about the photos I tool while partcipating in Scott Kelby's 3rd Annual World Wide Photo Walk.

http://www.pkphotographyblog.us/2010/07/3rd-annual-world-wide-photo-walk-the-images/

[Marcie]

This is the first summer I've given myself permission to have a little fun...to simply turn off the voices in my head that were telling me what I 'should' photograph..and to 'photograph' what simply captured my attention and eye:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1242
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1243
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1244
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1245
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1246

[Lili]

Thank you for posting this. I am an aspiring photographer and I always worry when people want to see my holiday pictures....
It is comforting to know I am not alone and that EVEN "real" photographers have worries too!
thanks x

[marina]

Such an inspiring post, Chris! and such a beautiful happy shot!
Here's a photo I took as a way to relax and unwind at the end of a long day
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36167691@N03/4834858875/in/photostream/lightbox/

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

Loving that little sandman. I agree that you don't have to try to be perfect all the time and I also recently came to the conclusion that beauty can be found in imperfection too.

http://dychedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/theres-beauty-in-imperfection.html

[Lou Truss]

My daughter loves to spend time at the beach, playing in the sand dipping in and out of the water. Hard to believe we will have snow here in Ottawa in 4 months time!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lulutrussphotos/4767828946/in/set-72157624309932549/

[pam]

I hemmed and hawed about taking my camera to a wine tasting event. It was going to be otuside and there would be lots of fun opportunities for pictures. But there would be wine. And me. And my camera. So, instead, I used my phone. Worked out fine!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidewalkshoes/4700063945/in/set-72157624150018301/

[Jenny Modesitt]

I have been learning photography by doing a personal 365 project. Some days it is so hard to get a great shot. Ugh this one...oh well. It had rained all day and they wanted to play in the puddles. That's all that really matters. I love your sandman. :)
http://momentswiththemookies.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/day-2032010/

[melissa]

I agree! I left the 'big' camera at home on our last adventure. It only hurt a little. :)

[Kelly]

Posing photographs is something I rarely do unless shooting senior portraits or the like. I like to catch the moments as they unfold, and rarely are they perfect. But what they are is real and often full of emotion, which is why I love the photography here on Shutter Sisters.

This is one I took of my niece who loves my dogs so much it hurts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellysoji/4772457743/in/set-72157624321948853/

[georgia]

great advice!

your husband sounds like mine. he sometimes tells me to leave my camera behind on a walk or when we go out... so that i can try to enjoy the walk or the outing like i used to before i ever had a camera. but he is also understanding when i do bring it, because he knows how much i enjoy taking pictures.

i'm enjoying my summer, too. last year, when we went to florida, i had just gotten my new {used} camera, and i couldn't put it down the entire time we were there... it was still so new to me, and an upgrade that i was so giddy about learning and using. this time {last month} when we went to florida, i was much less "in love" with my camera, as it was becoming old hat. and this time, i wanted to enjoy my vacation more. i came home somewhat displeased with the pictures i took, but then i realized that they captured the enjoyment i experienced, and even if they are not the best shots i've ever taken, my camera and my picture taking served a purpose.

i had put together a little slide show of some of the photos on the trip for my husband's aunt and parents, so i put it on my blog last week... my florida summer vacation fun.
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2010/07/some-2010-florida-pics-via-slide-show.html

[Aia]

a good reminder :)

[Pamela Viola]

Great post! So true, thanks for reminding us.

[brittany]

if i don't allow myself to simply capture moments as they come, i end up with no pictures. i have been making a concious effort to just click this summer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/4835855419/

[kristin]

yes just the other night we went to the beach the sunset was amazing. i did not have my camera and i instantly felt pangs of guilt for not bringing it along. my hubby turned to me and said, "just take a picture with your eyes." it truly made me pause, and realize how very right he was.... how shamefully dependent i have become on my camera. so i breathed in and let go a little...

[nikkole]

You'll see this one is so imperfect.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/_nikkole/4829152958/
But it was my husbands favorite and I liked it too.

Cheers to imperfection!!!!!

[WorthIt!]

Your post and the responses really resonates with me. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one who struggles to find the right balance while taking vacation shots.

My husband and I just returned from a trip to the San Juan Islands. I always try and leave the camera behind for a day or two and, when I do bring it, I make an effort not to over think my shots. This is necessary when you have a dog who won't wait or pose for that perfect shot!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/4837552911/

[Puna]

Goodness, I have so many imperfect photos, where do I begin. I do take it all in as a learning process...

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2010/07/july-27-five-thing-about-sinus-infections/

[Jennifer]

thanks for this. Yesterday I snapped some pictures of my daughter's birthday and I used my d50, kit lens and onboard flash because it was easy. And I worried about posting the pictures but then I said I dont care! Granted I just posted them on my facebook page, not on my blog but I may post them on my personal blog.

[Jeanne]

A moment of refuge is all my niece was looking for. Although not a "pretty" photo, captures a beautiful moment of love between them...

http://bostongirlontheverge.blogspot.com/2010/07/perfect-imperfection.html

[Jen @ Litas World]

I love your site...and especially this post. I struggle all the time with just "having fun" with my photography. I really strive to work on just enjoying the moment and taking the shots that will be memories later - not just the perfect photograph. Thanks for sharing..I'll be following you now!

[cynthia]

Awesome! Isn't it liberating to be content with experiencing/seeing life happen NOT through a viewfinder. I've stopped taking my big camera (D70) on family vacations because my point & shoot (P6000) does a ok job. Not perfect but still ok.
http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/a-room-with-a-view/

Sometimes, even when you're not trying, you'll get a pretty good shot. I love this 'imperfect shot' of my boys:
http://apictureintime.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/puppet-show/

[Trude]

So, so true. Some of my favorites are when I didn't look through the viewfinder! :) Like this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4759015110/

It's also why I love using my iPhone to capture things when I'm on the go. Perfectly imperfect!

[Carolina]

I really do understand how you feel. I feel the same way. sometimes I feel like vacation or a trip can be too exhausted because of that taking-good-angle-burden. I even asked my friend if I should bring my camera on our trip to santa barbara to celebrate mother's day. And eventhough my friend suggested not taking the camera, she said have some rest, today is your day..just enjoy the celebration..but I didn't listen to her advice...I feel so guilty not bringing the camera to wonderful place. but I managed myself not to take alot of pics and enjoyed the quality time with family.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/purple_blossom/4591639553/

[CherryPie]

I often find that some of the most imperfect shots can be turned into something quite unexpected when you get back home. So I never worry to much about it ;-)

[Linda]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your post today. I can truly relate because I have tried to work through this myself. I did in fact do the vacation where I left the camera at home.....Not fun for ANYONE!!! That will never happen again. I have also been working on self love...I wanted to share one of my blogs on filling your cup and giving out of your overflow....I hope that you enjoy and have a wonderful day!!
http://thebeautyofadreamer.blogspot.com/2010/07/full-cup.html

[Cherie]

We are leaving for the Gulf coast on Friday so this was a timely post for me. Although I am not a photographer, rather I call myself a picture taker, but I do take most of the pictures for my family. I do sometimes stress about getting all the shots I want or planning around what pictures I want to take. Going to try to go with the flow this time!

I love this shot of my kiddos a few years ago - not perfect, but I like it!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/colopyfam/2686875677/in/set-72157606410440113/

Last year we went to Disney
http://www.flickr.com/photos/colopyfam/sets/72157621984769522/

Thanks!

[Sukhi]

I don't do it enough but love it when I do take pictures of flowers. I am not one to normally stop and smell the roses but it is so refreshing when I at least allow myself to slow down and click away at them, especially when I don't care about my camera settings. This was taken while on vacation in sunny California a few weeks ago. I *heart* that state. Sigh.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89916296@N00/4838730003/

[BlessedMess]

I'll leave my camera behind when my husband leaves his iphone...I'm not sure we would know what to do with ourselves.

Just yesterday I took this one, and I loved so much about it but...well, you'll see.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/4838061317/

[Jo Hilton]

I have been thinking about this exact thing for a while now... and recently on a trip to Boston (where I was lugging the big 30D) my husband and I were at a street fair where I met a very talented photographer. As we visited, I shared this struggle that I was having... and she suggested turning OFF the digital view on the back of the camera. Treat it as though it were film... you make your shot.... you take your shot... and be okay with what you get. I tried it and it was a great suggestion! I would challenge anyone struggling with "perfection" to try this! Happy Shooting

[Live Laugh Shoot]

Your husband suggested you leave the camera at home?!? Will you be filing divorce papers while you're on vacation or will you wait until you get back home?

;)

Cheers,
Anne

[schmutzie]

This photo made me laugh! I

[Thepursuitofjoy]

Actually, I just finished posting about my imperfections and how sometimes it keeps me from enjoying the journey. I, too, work hard to get the perfect photograph, but sometimes it is best to just relax and let things happen. I use my photo blog to post some of my favorite photos and reflections. Thanks for the great thoughts--nice to know I am not alone out there!

[Michelle]

i'm the same way SO often! recently it's been so hot that when i go out for a walk somewhere i don't want to take my camera with me just because it's something i have to carry. those moments when i do give in and decide to leave my camera behind for just a little bit, i feel incredibly guilty.

here is one shot from this summer that i REALLY enjoyed taking. these paper lanterns were beautiful and i felt absolutely no obligation to take photos of them, just a desire to attempt to capture a perfect moment.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whollyafool/4775086873/in/set-72157624195516100/