This generation of chaos. Fight or flight. So much weight on our weary shoulders.
Hush the rush.
Calm the chaos.
Somatic movement? A bubble bath at the end of a long day? Still-life and nature photography? Lovely ways to cultivate stillness.
Creating a peaceful still-scene near a windowsill with beautiful light, or meandering in nature documenting so many incredible gifts from God. This is my soul. Inner stillness is where my love of photography began. A love that eventually led to professional photography.
Career confession: I don’t really like photographing people.
People are uniquely expectant and events are often rushed and stressful. Pressure. I think many photographers feel it. Perhaps others carry it better than me. Perhaps.
Most of my professional work has been in real estate photography for vacation rentals. I enjoy entering someone’s vacation home, looking around at all of their unique furnishings and decor, analyzing a variety of angles and lighting to capture the best representation of cozy comfort that I can see through my lens. It’s a peaceful process. Much like still-life and nature photography. Take my time. Create art. It’s the opposite of the rising tension within me during portrait and event sessions; anxiety in my soul.
A peaceful search for beauty or a chance to create it, I want photography to help ease anxiety rather than cause it.
My ongoing desire for stillness. It’s a life-long pursuit for the naturally anxious, because the world keeps returning to chaos and rush.
Hush the rush
Calm the chaos.
Photography is merely a tool. Beauty. Nature. The created world. Pointing us to the Creator. True respite found in his Word.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7
Sweet stillness. That quiet place. I hope that my photography always points to my spiritual life. Comfort in the presence of Jesus. My exhale. My rest.
Do you have a favorite activity that helps cultivate stillness in your life?