the connection

It all started with memories. I learned to use a camera because I wanted to capture memories, of where I had been and with whom I had shared my life.  For a long while, it seemed I was afraid I wouldn’t remember life without having a photograph to remind me.

As I learned more about photography, my goal transitioned to the moment.  It was the triumphant feeling of capturing a fleeting moment of an expression or of light, which drew me to bring the camera to my eye. I no longer needed to capture every memory, but watched for the right moments.

Over time, my motivations shifted again; shifted deeper.  One day, I noticed I was no longer capturing images to remember or to freeze time, but to feel. I had discovered photography as a form of self-expression. I was learning more about myself through my images. I was expressing my true self in photographs, in a deep and soul-satisfying way.

Photography brought me from memories… to moments… to me.

What I had discovered was a heart connection with some of my images; they expressed feelings I had not yet put into words. I found the stronger my heart connection with an image, the more likely others would connect with the image too. More than just connecting with an image, though, others also began connecting with me: The real me, the part that is often difficult to see.

These days, the heart connection is what I seek in my photography. To express a feeling is my purpose and motivation when I pick up my camera, more than the memories and the moments. When I share my vision of the world, I want it to be the vision that expresses who I am at heart. And through my heart connection with my images, I want to connect with others. I want to find kindred spirits who express themselves through their images. I want to know those who seek a heart connection too.

This year, I’ve started a new project called Photo-Heart Connection, to deepen my practice of photography. At the beginning of each month, I will be looking through my images from the previous month and finding the one image which brings me the strongest heart connection. I’ll write about it, learn from it. The exercise will force me to pause for a moment, contemplate my direction and reaffirm the expression I am seeking through my photographs. Each time I pause to do this, my photo-heart connection will deepen. I think yours will too, so I’m inviting you to join me, sharing your strongest photo-heart connection each month with a community of like-minded photographers. Our first link up will be February 1.

Today I encourage you to consider your photo-heart connection. Do you have an image which comes to mind, as an expression of your heart? Share it here, and start the connection.

Image and words courtesey of Guest Blogger Kat Sloma of Kat Eye Studios.

Comments

[Fiona]

I love this post...you have put into words my thoughts exactly...I would love to join you on this journey...thank you for your inspiration...x

[Marcie]

What a wonderful and inspiring project. I'll definitely check-it-out. And - for now..and thus far - as I look at my images from this month I think this one speaks to the greatest photo-heart connection:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2012/1/3/a-string-of-wishes.html

[DebC]

What a wonderful idea!
Some photos speak to me while I'm sure they might be ho-hum to others.
And other photos might be liked by others, but have a much deeper, possibly hidden, meaning for me.
I love this!

[Kathy Winter]

I thought I recognized that photo when I opened up this page! Great post and nice to see you on SS, too.

[Veronica]

This is a great idea. I like going back and focusing on one photo that evokes a heart connection. What a great way to bring your photography to a higher level. Lovely post and photo!

[shirley]

Beautiful. That heart connection is so hard to describe, yet you did so in such simple terms. Your project is a wonderful exercise that we should all do.

The second photo in the link spoke to me immediately after I took it.
http://www.shirleybehindthelens.com/2012/01/captured-while-it-lasted.html

[Kirstin]

Kat, I love this post. And it's such a great project too. I must have a look through my images too and see what has that photo heart connection...

[Holly {Soupatraveler}]

Kat, I love this idea, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! Earlier this month, I went up to NYC to help my friend with her first chelsea gallery opening and to document both the build-up and the party. I love this image of her shortly before the opening began. To me, it shows strength & determination, but I also know that this moment was held anxiety, excitement, and a bit of fatalism. It connects me to our past but also to our present relationship with hints at the future: http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/6662688749/

[Patty]

Hi kat! I love your thoughts here and can totally relate. I am currently reading Jan Phillips' " God is at Eye Level" which talks a lot about this exact topic! Some images which still make my heart sing every time I see them are these:

http://nomadicnotebook-patty.blogspot.com/2011/09/87-steps.html

[Tamara]

i love this idea! looking at my december photos with this post in mind allowed me to see them differently. so cool. i think this one expresses my heart the most at this very moment...trying something out just to see what happens. photography is new to me, and as i walk around, camera in hand, i feel like a kid. it's such a blast...i'm trying different things not really worried about the outcome. what happens if a get up close...how about if i shoot from above...now i'm going to fiddle around with aperture. i feel discovery in my heart.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59203832@N07/6736890501/in/photostream

[Summer]

I'm not sure that I've ever read words that resonate so strongly with me. Thank you for putting into words, what I've struggled to do. Beautiful.

The first image in this batch is my heart image.

http://www.runningchatter.com/2012/01/running-chatter.html

[Brenda]

Kat - as usual, your ability to write so clearly about things which are so difficult to put into words amazes me. Thank you for sharing your photographic evolution. And for creating a place where we can share our Photo-Heart Connection.

Sometimes you actually find a heart:

http://flic.kr/p/bdTzNZ

[Laine]

Beautifully written. I feel the same way. Photography is a way of connecting with my world, expressing my heart, and a way for my inner artist to "paint" the moments that are fragile and precious. I love my family most of all and photography helps me express that love and the miracles in my life.
http://lainethomasphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/lazy-afternoon-2/
http://lainethomasphotography.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/i-love-this-man/
http://lainethomasphotography.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/jess-and-dallin-family-pix/

[Valerie]

What a great post! Thanks very much for sharing. Last weekend I was at the beach with my son, the night rising all around us. I felt that my camera in hand and my appreciation of light was a bonus rather than a distraction.
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/01/silent-saturday-january-21-2012.html

[Kelly]

I almost fell on the floor when I read this post today....
you will understand here....
http://kelly-justaclickaway.blogspot.com/2012/01/photoheart.html

Thank you for this today...

[Susan]

That's what it's all about! Is it not?
Not stewing over what will be "the" shot.....I know it will come to me when it's time to link up.
I see you received your beautiful snow-from the link here. Hope you're enjoying it
Happy weekend Kat.

[Juli]

What an invitation, Kat..to connect more deeply with ourselves and our work, and with each other. You've created something really wonderful, and expressed it so beautifully in your post..
Looking over my photographs for January, here's my photo-heart connection so far... Thanks, Kat.
http://wordsandphotographs.com/2012/01/07/opening-up/

[Kat]

Thanks so much to Shutter Sisters, for allowing me to share this story here, and for all of you who have commented. How wonderful it is to find so many new connections!

[mosey (kim)]

It's such a great next step for those of us who love to tell stories with our images - and such an important connection to make because otherwise why bother shooting? Lovely post, Kat.
And here's my heart: :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-la-mosey/6665061523/

[pthurmond1]

This year I will strive to "Believe" in myself and my photography.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50901045@N02/6708529279/in/photostream/

[Sarah]

I LOVE this post...so beautifully put...I've only been snapping for a couple of years but when I look back on my photos I dive into once again what I hold dear, the feeling I had when it was taken....

[Anna]

Hi Kat,
Love how you've expressed the flow of your photographic journey! Your image is a striking piece and the perfect capture to illustrate your journey! This photo certainly is "you", with it's strong geometry, weathered textures, and surprising color notes. I appreciate the special looking-in (stained glass piece), looking-at (wall and window), and looking-outside (tree reflections) elements that you've contrasted. Just wonderful, definitely a heart piece!