So summer is on the wane and Autumn is trying to decide if it's really here or not and for some of us in the photography business, we'll be looking at this as either blessed relief or an opportunity. It's unlikely I'm going to write a blog about blessed relief and so yes I do see autumn as an opportunity.
I've recently taken a commission for a winter wedding which I'm excited about as it gives me an opportunity to work with different light, warm clothing and some different challenges in producing the images that the couple would like. Some photographers see November through to January as their opportunity to clear the decks, rest after a busy summer and to prepare for the year ahead. For me, it's important to keep constant momentum in most things and photography is no different. Everyone likes a sunny dry day but for me the time to head out with a camera is when the rain is coming down, when the light is not as good as it could be and when your preferred choice of location is not available.
By taking away some of the easy things to work with, it makes us work with what we have, work harder for that perfect image and along the way, learn and see things we would normally have passed by. A corner in shadow, an archway, the use of a prop such as umbrella or in some cases a couple who don't mind splashing about and having fun.
So when I see Autumn arriving and it's not warm and sunny outside and I see others retreating to their studios, that for me is the time to head out and find new things and test my own experience. I was once told that when you see the majority of people heading away from something, that's the time consider whether you should follow the crowd or take a second look before deciding to try and find something unique. It's usually when we're confronted with a new situation that we start to learn again. For me, embracing a new situation before I need to, ensures I'm as best prepared as I can be, before I need to be, rather than in the middle of an important shoot.
Happy Autumn onset!