Testing Your Limits

It all started last night. The jealousy monster started rising.

My really great friend Steve was recognized provincially for his photography, and the newspaper did a full page spread on him. I was so happy for him: we've been learning photography at the same pace and we always get together to take pictures and he's steadily gotten better at the trade, so I know that he deserves it. Until last night, there had never been any competition between us. But seeing him being recognized, and the great pictures he's taking, and all his creativity, it sort of made me mad. I started to ask myself questions that hadn't really arose before; Why can't I take pictures like that? Why don't I have the inspiration he does? How is that he keeps getting better, when I've stayed at this plateau?

I know that we have different styles of photography, but that jealous bone still creeps in. I hate the feeling but it's almost addictive, I just don't want to let go of it. So I decided to take a different approach.

I was going through some of my old photos, from the time I was just learning the art of photography. I was so much more creative then than I am now. There's a gradual change in my creativity as I started to learn about aperture and ISO and framing and all that. It's like once I learned the rules, I started to completely stay in the box - which definitely explains me staying at a plateau while he moves gradually ahead of me. People started to notice me less and less as I got further ahead... which sort of goes against what I was trying to do, doesn't it?

I need to break free of the box. And accept that I am the photographer that God created me to be. I am not Steve, I am Alex. I might not be the same as him, but everyone gets better by testing their limits.

Just finished up my first wedding. Eek. Even thought it's May and it's been beautiful all week, today the clouds decided to let loose. We enjoyed a day with rain storms, hail, even snow. Can't really expect anything different in Newfoundland. But even though the weather definitely didn't cooperate, it was still a beautiful day.

I realized that I love shooting weddings. I've never thought I would overly enjoy photographing weddings, because honestly, I never liked going to them as a guest. But there's something about being alone with two people who are in love, after all the family photos and the group shots are done, and just helping them let loose on their first day together. Helping them come to the conclusion that this is their time to shine, together. It's beautiful, magical even, watching love unfold in front of you.

I've known Norm for the longest time, and I remember about a year or two ago when he came home from Winnipeg and boldly announced that he had, in the space of a week, met the girl that he was going to marry. We all thought he was crazy, but you actually followed through. Props to you, buddy. You have a beautiful wife, and though I've only just gotten to know her in the past few weeks, that woman has the patience of Job. She's so beautiful, inside and out - Treat her well, Norman. ;) She definitely deserves it.

Even though it was FREEZING, even though Crystal lost her shoe, even though the umbrella broke and nobody wanted to stand outside and smile in the middle of a hailstorm, thank you so much for giving me a chance to share this day with you. Oh, and thanks for buying me McDonald's, too. :) Here's to Crystal and Norm.

Everyone thought we were CRAZY . It was so fun. xD

The beautiful bride.

All the best to you both as you share your lives together :)

-A