Today finishes the series of guest posts from Photo-Heart Connection participants. I invited them to write a post sharing what the Photo-Heart Connection meant to them this year. For the last few days I have been sharing these very special answers with all of you, celebrating the first year of the Photo-Heart Connection. I hope you have enjoyed these!
When Kat started the photo-heart connection, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this exercise and little did I know that going back to look at my photos each month would be such a deep personal experience. One that would have profound meaning for me in each of those connections. My participation in this process over the last year has influenced me in a way that has helped me continue to learn so many things about myself and my photography journey along the way. Some have been difficult, some have filled me with anticipation and some have reminded me that I’m on the right path.
In looking back I can see that before starting the photo-heart connection I was already beginning to feel a shift from being able to just document where I had been to documenting and saying this is how I feel about it, and the act of going back each month to find a connection with my heart has been instrumental in really recognizing that. In fact I can’t help but think that on some level it has helped play a role in it by evaluating how my own photographs make me feel.
I have learned that I need to take more risks because the only risk to taking more risk, is opportunity and growth, both as a person and a photographer. I have learned that when I am able to fully lose myself completely in a moment where the world falls away, and when I allow spontaneity and intuition to take over, I am able to just let my heart lead the way. And when my heart leads the way rather than getting tangled up in all the rules and technology of it, my images contain more emotion.
The photo-heart connection has made me realize that for me, the real magic happens when my photograph becomes secondary to my experience.
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Kim Stevens is a jewelry artist and photographer, both of which are inspired by her love of nature. She lives in Houston, Texas and blogs at Picking Poppies and Focusing on Life.
Thank you so much Kim for sharing your experience. I love what you have found in the Photo-Heart Connection!
And how about the rest of you… have you joined in the Photo-Heart Connection yet? If not, you can join in any month. There is no commitment, no prerequisite, no expectation. You just need to come with an open heart! The next Photo-Heart Connection link up opens in a couple of days, on January 1. There is no better way to start your year. I hope to see you!