Your portfolio looks technically perfect. So does everyone else's.
The real problem isn't skill—it's "Shot List Paralysis." When you shoot from a checklist, you stop seeing what's actually in front of you. The result? Work that blends into the crowd and clients who shop on price, not vision.
The photographers who stand out aren't the ones with the best gear. They're the ones brave enough to put down the rulebook and shoot what they actually find interesting. After all, your clients don't hire you for a checklist. They hire you for the way you see the world.
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#PhotographyWorkshop #TheArtOfSeeing
Roxy's first trip to The Castro in San Francisco. No naked people sightings, but excited to go back this summer and see Lou + Neil and the kids for another extended stay in the Bay.
#fujifilmgfx100rf #leicaM6
Landon and Riley were born in California right when we left California. We've always regretted not getting to photograph them all the time growing up, but we make up for it when when we're there. And it usually revolves around lots and lots of snacks, and them trying to beat me up.
Taken back in January. See you this summer boys!
#fujifilmgfx100rf #jpg
Coming back to the San Francisco Bay is always special. Friends, photos, food, hills, light. It's just all here. I came out this time for Brittany and Connor's new baby Avery. Erin and Roxy then came for the weekend for Roxy's first California adventure. I ended the trip photographing Grindr's executive team, which is run by our friend George. It all feels very connected, and it usually is because of one person - Kay.
I thought I took a lot of photos...Kay takes photos all day long. Her boys - Milo and Niko - are her world. Soccer practice, piano lessons, cross country meets, the chickens in the backyard. Everything gets documented. So when I'm at their house, where I always stay when I'm here, I am mostly photographing Kay photographing them. It's actually really fun. Kay has become such a good photographer over the last couple of years, and it's all due to her complete dedication to taking her camera everywhere and studying everything she can about documentary photography. She doesn't stop, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if you know Kay. She was one of LinkedIn's first round of hires as their PR person. She was on the Stanford Cross Country team. When she wants to win, she wins. But behind that is a human who simply wants to help, and her way of doing that is to connect everyone she knows so everyone can do better. It's really impressive to watch, and really amazing to receive as well. All good things in California start with Kay. And they have for a really long time.
When I'm with them, I tend to photograph either Niko or Milo more. When they visited us in Charleston last summer, I took photos more of Milo. This trip was more Niko. And I also just wandered around their house, photographing little details. From Sam Abell-inspired pears, to Soccer ball bloody noses, here are just a few things I saw. Nothing crazy. Just normal life around here.
Ok, back to Charleston before the storm hits for a really busy round of assignments in the next few days. Eventually, I'll post all the other photos I took here over the last two weeks. But those, I shot RAW and will take some time. :-)
Thank you Thomas, Kay, Niko and Milo for putting up with me for two weeks!
First time flying a plane. Our friend Ashley (who teaches pilots here in Palo Alto) took me on a tour of the San Francisco Bay today. I've been in many small planes, but I've never had the opportunity to fly one.
I've been photographing Ashley and her family for a few years now, and I've always wanted to go on a flight with her. If you want to learn to fly, she's a great teacher.
Thank you, Ashley!
@stanfordash #sanfranciscobay
We somehow got to meet Bobby twice... Once in a hotel bar after a wedding in Denver, and another in a New York airport. The airport was fleeting, just a hi and photo. The hotel bar was more fun. We got to hear him tell stories as people asked him endless questions. We used to live just a couple of blocks away from the famous Grateful Dead House in San Francisco. We'd walk by it all the time seeing people outside taking photos. It never got old imagining life back then. It's fitting I'm flying into San Francisco as I write this, with Erin and Roxy following in a few days. We'll take her to that house and we'll tell her about Mr. Weir. I hope she loves the music as much as we do.
#bobweir
I love nights like this. Fiddle band, kids dancing, happy parents, lots of wine, fire to end the night...the best birthday. Thanks @caitlinworshan and @hernberd for making a feast for us, @erinchrisman for somehow putting on a party on the busiest weekend you've had in a long time, and @_ian_gleason_ for bringing the music two years in a row. Love you all.
#charleston
New music Friday! @billysimonsjr has a new album out today, The Gospel of Weapons, and I think this is my first album cover photo.
Billy grew up in a more conservative family (we love you, Mr and Mrs Simons!), so even though these are protest songs, they aren't coming from a left-wing extremist. They are just thoughtful, meaningful, and timely humble songs for right now. The first song kills me.
Go listen, follow Billy, and go back to all the music he's put out over the last year or so. Along with @wellesmusic , no two better people are writing this type of music right now.
