Creative Blogstop
I must admit, in the aftermath of the incredibly time and energy consuming adventure of creating my own instructional DVD, I got a bit burned out. I loved making it and I’m very proud of the result but it was a huuuuuuge job, certainly combined with my personal situation. It’s not that I had enough of teaching but I felt I needed to focus on my photography again. It’s a great feeling to teach other photographers but I started feeling like I was the only one that didn’t progress as a photographer.
It wasn’t deliberate but for a while, I just had to put my blog, workshops and LIME in the fridge and focus on my own work again. I spent a lot of time studying the work of people that I admire, re-evaluate my own work, meet creative people outside my own little network and did a lot of thinking about the direction I want to go.
You know how important it is to me to master as much techniques as possible but these are just tools to allow you to tell a story or convey an emotion. And I just found that even though my technique is better than ever, I wasn’t very happy with my pictures anymore. So I went back to the roots, keeping it simple, shooting for fun, focusing on feeling rather than detail in the shadows and perfectly level horizons. And I found it back … the amateur photographer in me.
With the changes in my personal life, things have changed pretty dramatically for my financial and business situation too. I’m not ashamed to admit that a visit to my accountant earlier this week wasn’t very motivating. And I would like to thank everyone who bought Motivational Light, because you gave me that little bit of breathing space to dedicate some time to rediscovering my own creativity.
To make things work out, I really need to grow my business faster than what would normally be possible but I believe I can do it thanks to finding myself as a creative photographer again.
I know I need to be more business minded. And I know that I need to make some decisions that I don’t really want to. But I’m still very positive that I can work things out. Last week, with the help of many great friends, I spent the whole time testing out ideas and concepts for a new big project that I will launch in September. I strongly believe that it is going to be a way to be creative and economically viable at the same time. All the images in this post were taken during that creative test week.
The test week was really the the result of all my self rediscovery activities. I’m charged with creative energy and feel like shooting every day again. I feel I’m ready to teach and blog again and all of that is thanks to my friends, family and my kids who have supported me through these difficult times.
I’ll be taking some time off to enjoy the kids but after that I’ll be back at full force! Promise
fantastic works Bert! you are such an inspiration!
It’s hard to hear someone who did so much to help others, struggles in life.Nevertheless, I’m glad you’re back! Have fun on vacation with your kids.
Hey Bert,
I really like what I’m seeing. You can almost feel your renewed energy in the photos. Enjoy the time off!
It was worthwhile waiting for a new post
Looking forward to your new project!
Hey Bert,
I purchased the dvd for progressing my skills.
Now after reading your blog I’m even more satisfied I purchased it so I’m a bit of help for you.
I will promote your dvd and will try to convince other photographers to buy it as well.
Looking forward to your new project, blogs and workshops!
Keep your head up high and enjoy the love of your children, you’re worth it!
Best regards,
Harald Pijnenburg
I am happy you are back and renewed. I am keep looking forward to learn more from you.
Luis
Great new work Bert. Congratulations!
Enjoy the holidays!
Hey Bert, nice pictures…
Good luck for the future!
Cheers
Torsten
Wonderful pictures… I like the last one most
Regards, Lisa
Bert, you inspired me years ago and showed me things I didn’t even know were possible.
My wife and I are enjoying photography more than ever thanks to the tools you’ve given us.
Your pictures are always wonderful and refreshing. Keep up the good work. Thank you so much.
As one of your silent readers, I just wanted to wish you good luck. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Hi Bert,
As a dad and husband I can quite follow your struggles and worries. How awesome could your future work be seeing how you pulled off Lime and the DVD during these energy taking days you went through.
Getting your stuff reorganized will provide you with some extra creative and personal time!
Thanks for sharing your work and being open about it!
Hope to meet you again soon and talk more than 2 mins
joeri
Hey Bert,
until now, you´re work goes (to me) a very impressive way. i watch your “confessions of…” and “squeeze the lime” videos on youtube again and again, and i have learned a lot from you.
i like your pictures, because they are special to me.
take a (long) break if you want, when the batteries are empty its time to recharge – and to come back with full energy
Greets from the northcoast of germany
Daniel
been a follower of your blog and work for a while….i really like the pictures above. seems like looking at work from a totaly different photographer….always inspiring.
i think this kind of describes what is happening…. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari
keep it up….
Welcome back Bert. I am in Sarajevo and it is too hot to go out, so I’ve been watching Squeeze the Lime videos on my mobile. They make me want to go and take shots again, glad you do too.
Ian
Bert,
Thank you foe being so open and honest about ‘life’ at the moment. All to often photographers can paint this picture of ‘everything is just swell’ when it isn’t and this can be quite frustrating to those of us at times are feeling the pinch. How can it be so good for them? What am I doing wrong etc…? when really, I think everyone is feeling it a little however big or small.
You mention how important shooting for yourself has been and what it’s done for you; this I can totally relate to. Last week I took a trip to a famous seaside town here in the UK with a good friend; both of us armed with just one camera, one lens and just shot all day. I was tempted to take along a California Sunbounce Mini but no, I resisted.
This day out I really do now feel was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. It was liberating and completely refreshing and has left me so incredibly hungry. Not working to a schedule or having a client to please was such a wonderful and constructive experience, I’m now feeling totally recharged and ready to run at full speed again; and this after just one day away.
Needless to say we’re putting in many more of these days in the future…I mean, why wouldn’t I
Bert, enjoy your vacation and the benefits you will reap upon your return,
I wish you all the very best for now and the future,
Glyn
I feel for you dude. Keep it up, and all the best!
And no, I did not buy the motivational light dvd because my financial situation is way worse than yours. But then again I did not download it illegaly either. ;D
Ouh jee, awsome pics.
je ne suis pas un fan de tes dernières photos, par contre j’aime beaucoup la photo de la triumph !
Hi, i am a press photographer from Spain. Firstly i have to apologize for my english, It’s really poor.
I was looking for new techniques to use in my daily work. The press photographer always has to hurry up. We have short time to take our pictures so we have to think quickly and improvise in anyplace. I found your website and i liked too much. It is a good inspiration and it’s full of sincerity. I have learned things that i am impatient to experiment with.
Thanks and keep on. Don’t give up!!!
Fran Martínez
ı am in horror:(
You are such a talented photographer. Add me to the long list of your admirers. I wish you well Bert!
Hi Bert
Thank you for sharing you photos and advice. I started taking photography seriously about 7 years ago, and a couple of years ago I stumbled across your very helpful YouTube videos.
Keep up the good work,
I really dig those last 3 images. The lighting is gorgeous. For inspiration, if you’re interested in seeing how famous photographers light their images, take a peek http://www.guessthelighting.com.
[...] your kitchen (like liquid chocolate, milk, flour, etc.). Look at Bert Stephani’s blog article “Creative Blogstop”, especially on the pictures in the second half of the [...]