We don't want to display TWO photographers work here . . .

This may seem like an odd title.... but it is certainly NOT an odd situation for me. I recently offered a local fundraiser to donate a certificate to help them raise funds for their organization here in Charleston... I LOVE fundraising and will always try to help my community any way that I can. The organization said they appreciated the offer BUT they already had a "photographer" - my response was... that is AMAZING! Why not two?

You see, here is the thing: You can give me and another photographer the SAME equipment. Same camera, lenses, tripods, flashes, flash modifiers, cards - all of it... ALL the same. You can give us the SAME person(!!!), same clothing, same props even. Give us the SAME location or the same studio backdrop. And then ask us each for your favorite image they created of that person.... hang them side by side and........ what do you think? They will be not even come close to being the same!

As artists we all have a different interpretation of a person. We see differently and observe different aspects of what we want to portray. Thats because we are different people! I LOVE SEEING OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WORK! What you my not know about me is, I enter a lot of competitions, I teach at seminars, I attend seminars and I marvel at images well done. It does not matter if I like the subject or not, its the interpretation that is fascinating to me.

Recently this little 9 year old girl walked in my studio. Bow in hair and medals she was proud of. Gymnist. Colorful outfit too from her gym..... Adorable! BUT here is the thing... adorable was her EXTERIOR. This "little" girl was a monster of amazing determination. You could see it on her face, how she held her body and the medals were just the "side" items she happened to hold. She didnt need them.... her fierce personality filled the room like no one Ive ever met. NINE years old. The child had more presence in a room than most successful adults times 100.

I took the "cute" shots - the ones mom wanted. Smiles. Bows. Medals. I KNOW you can envision it! I know you can..... but I cant bring myself to post it.... because in my head, in MY eyes all I saw was THIS!