I recently submitted some of my work to some Online Photos contests for the portrait category. For the first time in my career, I decided to give it a go. Entering contests always frightened me, however, Portraits are something I have plenty of. So I thought “Why not give it a go"? While I didn’t win, surprisingly I did come close on 2 of them, and while I didn’t get any of the prizes, I was within the top 10 for 2 of those comps, and those images were selected to be placed in 2 galleries. one in Athens and one in Montreal. (*shown below) While it is exciting, I don’t know if anything will ever come of it aside from people seeing them. It can be a nerve-wracking experience sending in your work for the first time, especially as a photographer. There is so much competition in our field. You put your heart and soul into your work so the thought of it being rejected can be discouraging. But it's important to remember that it's part of the creative process and to use it as a learning opportunity.
This led me to my next contemplation… What will be my legacy as a photographer?
After two decades in the photography industry, it can be disheartening to think that you don't have a lasting mark as a photographer. Something that will ‘withstand the test of time’. This might be especially true if you were solely focused on the business side of things as I was. We all have bills, and we all need to update our equipment and live. In these trying times it is easy to lose yourself in the business aspect. I don’t have a huge following on social media and am not ‘Internet Famous’ by any means, however, I was always able to find clients and get enough jobs to keep me running. But deep down I know that I am definitely not the Photographer I set out to be when I started down this path. Oftentimes, Professional Photographers can get so preoccupied with generating money and running their business that they can easily lose sight of their artistic vision and the impact they want to make.
Nevertheless, it's essential to remember that there is still an opportunity to make a difference and leave a meaningful legacy. Just because you were focused on business for the past 20 years doesn't mean you can't alter your focus and produce significant works that will stand the test of time. One way to do this is to initiate a personal project that is close to your heart. Perhaps you have had an idea for a project that’s been sitting on the back burner for all these years, or you have always been passionate about a certain issue but never had the time or resources to pursue it. Now is the time to do so. By using your photography skills to bring attention to an important matter you can make a real impact and leave a lasting legacy.
I also realize that another way to establish a lasting legacy is to mentor the next generation of photographers. Utilize your experience and expertise to aid aspiring photographers to learn the basics and create their own artistic vision. By sharing your capabilities and perspectives, you can help make sure that the art of photography will continue to flourish long after you are gone, and hopefully a piece of what you passed down. It's also crucial to remember that a lasting legacy doesn't necessarily have to be related to your photography work. You can make a difference in other ways, whether it is by volunteering, supporting a charity, or just being a considerate and compassionate person. Ultimately, it is never too late to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy. If you are feeling unsatisfied with your past years in photography, use that as motivation to start something new and meaningful. Whether it is by personal projects, mentoring, or other forms of giving back, you can make a real impact and ensure that your legacy will be remembered for years to come.
While I haven’t felt like exactly what my “Legacy” may be, I know it’s out there somewhere and I’m more aware of it now than I was before.