I worked as a commercial and documentary photographer for almost 25 years. Initially I worked with advertising agencies and design companies and there was room for collaboration. Things have changed so much and the idea of ‘advertising’ and being constantly advertised to as well as an expectation that a human is no longer a human but a ‘brand’ feels as ridiculous as corporations having personhood.
I’ve stepped back and have focussed instead on photographing for education, not for profits and healthcare.
I’m also wanting to shift back into fine art and fine art photography as well as printmaking and drawing in a full time capacity.
Time and money has me doing the things I really want to pursue very sporadically.
I know that I can’t wait for the right time to fall out of the sky so I suppose if I am more intentional with it and start scheduling it in on a regular basis that could help me move forward…because events photography is a real grind.
Hey Christy, thank you so much for restacking this post and for your comment.
I get it, especially the resistance around the word 'brand'. You’re not alone... I’ve heard similar things from so many others who’ve spent years doing great work behind the scenes or in service of others and who now want something that feels more aligned with who they are.
And I get it from a personal perspective as well. For a long time, I also resisted the idea of “branding myself.” But over time, I started seeing it a little differently, mainly by studying others who I admire.
What you said about being more intentional is important. That small shift, making space for what matters most can be the beginning of a completely new chapter for you.
And funny enough… tomorrow’s post is going to dig into some of what you brought up. I think it might offer a different lens on 'brand', and one that doesn’t ask us to be anyone other than ourselves.
I worked as a commercial and documentary photographer for almost 25 years. Initially I worked with advertising agencies and design companies and there was room for collaboration. Things have changed so much and the idea of ‘advertising’ and being constantly advertised to as well as an expectation that a human is no longer a human but a ‘brand’ feels as ridiculous as corporations having personhood.
I’ve stepped back and have focussed instead on photographing for education, not for profits and healthcare.
I’m also wanting to shift back into fine art and fine art photography as well as printmaking and drawing in a full time capacity.
Time and money has me doing the things I really want to pursue very sporadically.
I know that I can’t wait for the right time to fall out of the sky so I suppose if I am more intentional with it and start scheduling it in on a regular basis that could help me move forward…because events photography is a real grind.
Hey Christy, thank you so much for restacking this post and for your comment.
I get it, especially the resistance around the word 'brand'. You’re not alone... I’ve heard similar things from so many others who’ve spent years doing great work behind the scenes or in service of others and who now want something that feels more aligned with who they are.
And I get it from a personal perspective as well. For a long time, I also resisted the idea of “branding myself.” But over time, I started seeing it a little differently, mainly by studying others who I admire.
What you said about being more intentional is important. That small shift, making space for what matters most can be the beginning of a completely new chapter for you.
And funny enough… tomorrow’s post is going to dig into some of what you brought up. I think it might offer a different lens on 'brand', and one that doesn’t ask us to be anyone other than ourselves.
Thanks again for being here and engaging.
I look forward to reading it.
Thank you so much for your response ❤️