This is what happens when photographers get bored.
But first, a bit of a backstory. I’m not overstating when I say that photography is my lifeline. For those that don’t know, I am an opiate addict in recovery- 12 years sober (woot woot!). We all have our own cross to bear. This is mine.
Finding photography (and of course my amazing family) truly saved my life. I began my mentorship with Ken just a few months after getting clean, and it gave me something to take my mind off of constantly wanting and needing something that would inevitably kill me. The more I learned about the craft, the less I felt drawn to my old habits. The more I built my business and reputation, the better my chances were against relapse.
You’re never cured. We say that we’re “always one bad day away from relapse”, and it’s true. So, we need to have that something that makes us happy.
Photographing people became my way of creating something meaningful and beautiful. There are a thousand genres and niches of photography, but this is the one that brings me joy.
So, when the coronavirus hit us during our peak wedding and engagement season I began to feel uneasy. First, because I felt terrible for all of our couples who were affected by this. It’s been a nightmare for many of them and we are heartbroken for them. But for a more selfish reason, without that outlet that I so desperately depend on I worried for my own mental wellbeing. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time, because spring is my favorite season to create images. The flowers are blooming, and the weather is mild. That doesn’t last long in Houston, Texas.
For the first few days after our last shoot of the season I was in a crap mood. Poor Steven did everything he could to cheer me up. On a trip to the grocery store I passed at least 20 beautiful flower bushes and my heart was just longing to get back to work. But how could I safely photograph people during a pandemic?
Then it hit me. I couldn’t photograph people, but I could photograph dolls. I know this has probably been done a million times before by photographers who are much more talented and creative than me, but this new series is what will keep me sane for the next few weeks, or even months.
Here’s my first go at it. A million more dolls and ideas coming soon. This is Rachel and Nathan (I named them after my friends).
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