Life as a photographer and passion
I drop everything and leave … how many times have we told each other? Maybe to quit your job and start a life as a photographer.
The reality, in hindsight, is diametrically opposite, because when you decide to give your life a boost of novelty, then that’s where you need to not give up and GO BACK, yes … but go back to BEING yourself.
The passions, as much as we want to get rid of them, do not leave us on the contrary … they suggest that we be taken into serious consideration, because they can become our allies in the process of personal fulfillment.
Some time ago I told you about how work, or rather, the conception we have of it, is that of a boring and tiring job.
Then, the unexpected glimmer of light opened by the events related to the pandemic, the revolution through Smartworking & Co.
What are we missing then?
Don’t give up, in fact. Because a passion can turn into a fantastic love story. Forgive this metaphor with a vague sentimental flavor, but it serves to convey the idea of the relationship I have with photography.
A lens was what the camera and I had in common.
Mine was to immortalize the magnificent places I would visit, at any cost.
“I travel, therefore I am” is not a nonsense phrase randomly placed on my site.
It is for me the philosopher’s stone, which allows me to move forward with the years, going back with age.
Traveling has always made me feel alive and photographing served to crystallize moments of extreme happiness, to make visible to the eyes what was the real journey, the inner one.
The dimensions of travelling
There are many ways to photograph, many, many subjects, environments, situations.
I had decided to be a nomadic photographer, to move to take the much desired, idealized shot.
Create an ad hoc itinerary to synthesize atmospheres, capture northern lights, synchronize with the desert dunes, immortalize the fog in which a still dormant city plunges.
I saw the photo in my head before I even heard the click of the shot. I calculated the perspectives and perceived on the skin the light to be exploited to do justice to the views that, thanks to my non-stop travel, stood out before my eyes.
“la Patitucci”
Not happy, I embarked on new paths and immersed myself in new adventures, both artistic and professional.
And here is the synergy with Vanessa Patitucci, aka La_Patitucci (@la_patitucci).
Find some photos in the glamor blog gallery on my site.
It generated a new interest in me; I used to immortalize skylines, fragments of urban life or the majesty of a landscape, instead I discovered how the human gaze can contain an entire world, I enjoyed experimenting myself, acquiring new skills and surprising myself with my own enthusiasm in reinventing myself!
The passion that motivated me remained intact, it was simply colored with different shades.
I am fortunate to have been able to diversify my skills, to be multifaceted, to shoot without excessive stress, even if, all in all, the word “relaxation” is not around the corner as it may seem!
Traveling, moving continuously, makes you understand the meaning of the definition nomadic photographer: it is necessary to be very centered and flexible to adapt to continuous changes and I am talking about the different time zones, temperature changes, habits and behaviors to be adopted in the different places where you stay.
Firm roots
Keeping the roots well hydrated, without allowing them to sink into the ground by staying there for a long time, is a balancing act that is well rewarded, if lived with the right spirit of adventure tempered by the commitment lavished in one’s work.
To take the big step, in fact, it is necessary to keep in mind that nothing will be given away and therefore it is good to prepare, creating a perfect balance between skills and material.
A nomadic photographer (and in this, the bucolic simplicity of the term “nomad” clashes with the initial investment which can be unexpectedly large), must have the right equipment but above all, must have the ability to use it: do not rush, acquire the experience that will be your lifeline, your solid foundation. Keep in mind that a technological equipment (PC, external HD, connection, photo editing programs) will also be required to create professional shots.
The final
It will probably take some time to transform yours into a life as a photographer, but the journey is long and you have to leave with adequate supplies.
There will be many paths to follow, you will do well to develop a business sense, to understand which contacts will lead you to the result you hope to achieve, which paths you will have to follow, which decision to take promptly when faced with a crossroads (and there will be many ).
Far be it from me to scare you, on the contrary: look forward to the adrenaline of wandering around the world in your new life as a photographer.
Staying away from home in a continuous interface with the most diverse personalities, a blindfolded fishing between unexpected and probabilities, but don’t throw in the towel, don’t give up, just to change your life!
On the other hand, as Vinicio Capossela teaches …
