Precious conversations seem to happen on trails as our feet crunch the leaves under our soles. Keith and I were scouting for a fall foliage workshop when the discussion came up about a fellow photographer who was struggling with inspiration and facing discouragement.
Keith and I continued on silently and my thoughts swirled around the conversation as I asked myself, “what keeps me photographing”?
As with all things, you can sustain and empower the project in your own strength and inspiration for a time. For some folks it may be years, for others it could only be months. The amount that pours out of you, measured against the amount of inspiration that wells up within will determine the length of sustained passion.
Keith and I never imagined we’d live such a busy life, working and growing three businesses all engaged in the photographic world of nature photography. I’ve battled burn out and fought against it personally for the last couple of years.
As I pondered on this question the answer was as as clear and crisp as the fall autumn air that I was breathing. We all are driven towards something bigger than ourselves, and for me my photography, the work we do in loving, serving, and teaching others photography, is deeply entwined in my faith.
The short answer is this: I photograph and continue to stay inspired because my soul is fed directly from a spring that flows from my faith and my photography is my way to express the inner workings of my experiences that are growing my faith.
OJ Cartwright
August 21, 2019It always amazes me that your words are composed as well as your incredible photos, dear friend!