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Permission To Be

What does it take to capture a beautiful image?

There's the general rules for f-stop, ISO, and aperture. A good lens is a definite plus...a professional camera body never hurts.  But Instagram and point + shoot cameras have proven that there's something that trumps any technique we may have...and possibly the most difficult skill to learn.

It's giving the permission to be.

I've learned...not just in my shoots, but life in general...that people are most beautiful when they feel safe and have the permission to be.

Jonas Peterson taught me that it's not about finding your voice, but accepting the voice I already have.  He said, "I believe we all have a hole in our heart.  So, we need to find out what that hole is, that pain...and as an artist, we shoot from that place. That's what makes us unique and we create art and speak from that place. You don't have to tell anyone.  You just have to acknowledge it for yourself."

I put my hand over my heart...and as I felt the beat on my palm, I felt affirmed...not just as an artist, but as a person.  He was giving me the permission to be.  That I was okay...everything from the fact that I laugh too much, I talk too quiet, I blush too easily, the way that I can be awkward in a group, the fact that I'm bad at goodbyes, I ache to feel protected... It didn't matter.  I had the permission to fully feel all those things and to tell stories through that vantage point.

I've learned that people...my subjects...just want the permission to be.  Most of us fear losing love or looking dumb.  I don't have fancy posing secrets, hilarious jokes, or failsafe formulas.  I just want my subjects to know that I see them...not their extra lbs they want me to photoshop out, or just their "good side".  But instead, I want to create a safe place for them to laugh as loud as they want, be okay with awkwardness, and stop to breathe in.






So as I go into a shoot...into a friendship...I want to communicate the best way I know how that, "I see you just as you are...and it's safe... you're okay." 



12 comments:

Pam said...

Beautifully spoken, Tami!

Emilia Jane said...

A thousand times yes.

smw said...

same goes for you with me. :)

Amanda Miller said...

I love this so!!!

Kara P. said...

Yes! Such a great post! Ian is newly infatuated with taking pictures and I noticed I like how I look in the ones he takes.....and maybe thats because I don't need to pose or be beautiful with my kids. I can just be.

christine said...

Amazing post! The people-pleaser in me is always, always thinking about my appearance/words/perceptions and my heart 'responded' to your writing, to your extending permission to all of us simply to be. Thanks, Tami!

Tara said...

Love your posts! I feel like I'm reading a professional writers blog when I read your stuff. You've got many talents Miss Tam Tam! :-)

Erin said...

Loved This! Thanks so much for sharing. Love and Blessings.

alisonsutter said...

You are so good at blogging! And many other things...sigh, I guess I need to be okay with me not being you...right?? I really do enjoy your blog...it makes me feel connected even when I haven't seen you in forever!

Rebekah said...

Beautifully written...from one who has always known you can write like a professional blogger :) good thing since it is kind of part of your profession eh!? :) Tam, I love who you are and I hope that you never feel like you need to become someone else to fit a mold or people who don't really love you's expectations. From your opinionated, big sister.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous image and very profoundly written - as creatives we indeed to give ourselves permission to create, explore, and be our creative best!

Jenna Leigh said...

you are utterly brilliant - genius.
GO YOU.

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