Comments on: Quieting Yourself

By: Paulo Carvalho

Paulo Carvalho — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 17:43:08 +0000

First, I want to said that I love this picture. It’s so awesome! Relative to my artistic struggles… My work is mostly done at my house (terrace) and when I shoot in places, I usually choose discrete locations, without people. I cannot concentrate on what I’m doing, with people looking at me and what I’m doing, which to their eyes are sad figures, but for me is something that makes me happy. This causes me anxiety and my work loses with that. So, my artistic struggles in this moment is to overcome these discomfort, because my future works ( in 2016) will be in some locations not discrete and with a lot of people.

By: Chrystal Kelly

Chrystal Kelly — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:21:46 +0000

Hi Brooke
I love this image and all though I am just starting to put myself and my work out there, I understand what you are saying. I have been sort of confronting feelings of why I make the images I make and what is it that I want to say. I think as artists we are bound to feel that way. I want you to know though that some of the beauty of the work you do and the way you share with so many, myself included is an awesome source of inspiration that so many of us identify with. As you grow as an artist, I believe you have made friends for life, you wont walk alone. I have personally been struggling with change coming in the form of graduation. I did not go to a fine art school, I went to a commercial arts school and made the art that I wanted to anyway. But here I am 2 weeks from graduation, I don’t know what I am going to do, I find myself wondering if I will find work and be able to support my child and myself doing what I love. I also fell into a river with my camera this fall and haven’t been able to replace it. So my fears are kind of vast and eminent. I am still proud of myself for managing to somehow get through school and keep a roof over our heads, still my drive and desire to create burns within me daily. I know everything works out one way or another always, and I believe that if I breathe and don’t allow myself to get stuck in a spinning wheel that it will come together.
Thank You
Chrystal

By: FIT BMX

FIT BMX — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:26:23 +0000

That is super cool you are getting a studio, I can’t wait to see what comes from it. I know it will be great!

As a beginner, the problem is time. It’s not that I don’t have it, but I feel like going out hiking to take photos, or spending time editing, is a waste time. Because there are things that I could be doing that would make money, or that just seem more important.
I am really trying to stop this, and spend more time with my photography.

I nearly forgot, I love that photo! Great job!!! 🙂

By: Hanna

Hanna — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 18:37:21 +0000

My struggle is to connect with others, a little bit like Jen said above (I think!). Finding a place where I fit. I have always had trouble reaching out and it is always my weakest link. Also to connect with myself and find that flow… every day life with the practical things to do is draining me of energy. I am very much looking forward to 2016. And also seeing that new work you are talking about, Brooke!

By: Jen Sulak

Jen Sulak — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:47:45 +0000

My struggle inside has always been in many forms WHERE DO I FIT? I have moments in this industry where I feel completely out of the loop. I’m doing work I love…but it is not reaching anyone the way I had hoped maybe. I think it all comes back to building relationships. Not the shallow ones, the ones that CONNECT us purely…I’ve always desired that deeply but sometimes my persona comes with that side that shuts the doors and sits by the walls pushing everything away. I always want to be REAL. My emotions and thoughts and feelings are just part of this life experience. My goals for next year are unlike things I have done for myself. Finding myself a bit more organized – but still struggling for that next level. I feel I am on the verge of an awakening and something I cannot stop. No going back. 🙂 Either way – I can’t wait on feedback from everyone these days. I have to know inside that I’m good enough and that my work will eventually make sense to that ONE PERSON that needs it. I’m ok with that! Meanwhile, I will stretch forward to my future self…that is free from walls…without boundaries even when I think I’m boundary-less. 😛 I write in run-on sentences but at least I know what I’m saying. Here is to 2016 and much more of creations, creativity…and honestly? JUST BEING. Just BEING means to be. Be present. Feel the things. Don’t make everything WORK. 🙂 love you!

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:21:44 +0000

Authenticity, and listening to my soul. The struggle of desiring to create and shoot and connect is overwhelming and I fall off the path often of following my soul. I just keep re-evaluating and moving forward. The thing I find the most challenging is judging myself too harshly, based on what I “Think” others will like, or not like, react to or ignore. So I feel where you are at as I live that as well.

By: Nikki Mulkern

Nikki Mulkern — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:58:48 +0000

My big struggle for the past couple of years was going from photographing families, newborns and children to only doing them for the fundraiser I do for my Mom every year and moving on to a full-time fine art photographer. I knew in my heart and head that this is what I needed and wanted to do, but I felt so guilty for no longer offering the sessions I had been doing for the past 6.5 years. I loved my clients and working with them, but didn’t love the work I was doing anymore. I had a moment in August where I was editing a family session, and it felt like it took forever, it really only took a few hours but it felt like it drained me and I had no joy at all. The next day I started working on one of my pieces which takes so much more time, but when I was finished I realized I was filled with joy, I was proud of the final image and it felt like time flew by. I knew in that moment that I needed to take the leap of faith and just do what I truly love to do. So as of mid-Oct I am now only working on my fine art full time and it feels wonderful!! I have other struggles that I will now have to overcome, but this one was a big one for me!!
I truly can’t wait to see what is in the future for myself!
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you as well <3