I'm actually pretty excited about getting back to photography on my own terms now. No strings attached, nothing extra, no need to push over my limits, no hurry on the post-production (sorry, peeps!), no pressure, no team affilitations, nothing but joy of photography in my own pace.
I've had a burnout or few during my career and I had to battle some pretty bad mental issues that included heavy depression and exhaustion for the past 3 to 4 yeas - but I'm finally standing on my own two feet again. I've been wondering what to do next and honestly? I'm feeling the fire about sports photography again. I'm excited about the thought of taking photos and seeing if I still got it. But this time, it'll be on my own terms.
If it feels good, I'll do it. If it doesn't work out, I can live with that. Seems like the flashes are still an issue in roller derby, so I'll go back to where I started and shoot without 'em. I'm not gonna rack up expensive equipment, I'll work with what I got. I'll try to find the emotions and the passion instead of focusing on gameplay (but I'll try to balance things so everything will be included), and most importantly - I'll listen to myself and take a breather when I need it.
I have a goal for this year and it's the
@wftda Champs in Malmö. I have a team there -
@victorianrollerderbyleague - that I'm going to shoot for, but that actually feels more like... like I'm taking photos of my friends doing something that they're really good at. It's not a job, it's just a privilege and something to be proud of.
I've gotten some inquiries about taking photos here and there and I've said yes to some on no to some others. I'd love to shoot everything I can, but more than that I love my own mental health. Sometimes you just got to know your limits.
Anyway, I hope to see you this year - in rugby, roller derby or some other thing I haven't figured out yet. Don't be strangers. ❤️
Photo by insanely talented artist & wet plate photographer
@nitrate_fox
#markoniemeläphotography #rollerderby
