Fuel Your Passion
This was a photo I submitted to a photo challenge during the COVID19 Shutdown of 2020
I don’t know anyone who has ever been through the change in times we are experiencing today before. For those of us who have a passion that we aren’t able to do they way we usually would it is a frustrating time. For many it is a extremely difficult financial time too. Musicians who would normally be having shows throughout the week have no jobs. Professional athletes have no games. Olympic athletes have seen four years of training wiped out. Senior college athletes have lost their final season. Some of these musicians and athletes may never see the stage or field again. The question is how do we fuel our passions during this time. One of the greatest things is seeing musicians go live to their fans on Facebook and other social media. They can share their music and their fans can support financially as well. Athletes are still preparing for what may or may not be their season. We must see hope in a return to normal rather than some new normal. My first passion was running. I ran in high school and college and have continued that love of running for some 45 years now. I get up every day and lace up to go out on the roads. Running has been so wonderful as it is something I am controlling in a time we feel little control over. There are virtual runs we can compete in. The Navy X-Country team is having a virtual run to support students who are missing meals while schools are closed. I will include a link in this blog. For 10 years now I have developed this passion for photography. My passion has been fueled by countless people who have supported me and provided opportunities for me over all those years. Part of what fuels my passion is what my work has and can provide to others. From supporting athletes and their families to local musicians being able to help others through my work is my greatest reward. I can’t shoot what I love most right now but I have the desire to find ways to get out or stay in and shoot every day. There are so many areas of photography so I try to step out of my box and comfort zone and try new things. I will never learn everything I want to learn about photography. Frankly no photographer could ever say they have. I spend lots of time watching videos and studying what other photographers do that I normally would not be doing. I read and learn about different techniques that I can try and add to my skill set. I’ve participated in photography challenges which I have never really done before. I even had one of my entries used on a episode of Fro Knows Photos. I was invited to be on an episode of Ambition Radio with Chris Tondevold to share my passion for photography. You can find that podcast and give it a listen. I find myself shooting nature and sometimes succeeding and sometimes failing, at least in my mind. But when I feel I have failed I am so anxious to go out and try to do it differently or better. Even when I feel some success I want to go back out and do it better. I think if you have a true passion for something you are never truly satisfied. You always want to find a way to be better. I have gone out and shot some to document what we are going through. I find that process very uncomfortable. My photography has always been around the celebrations in life. Sharing those times is what means the most to me. Documenting these times when many are struggling is probably and important and valuable thing but it gives me a very uneasy feeling about the the results I get. I suppose I should do more to document these times, as doing so is stepping about as far out of my comfort zone as I could possibly get. I encourage everyone to feed the beast that is their passion in life during these unusual times. I’ll be ready for sure the first chance I get to step onto a lush green baseball field or into a concert pit. Please stay safe and keep healthy. Be ready when we can come together and celebrate.
Here is a link to the Navy X-Country teams benefit for hunger.
https://pledgeit.org/ncc-hunger-2020?fbclid=IwAR2sbBeXoTukxLzfI2BdSk_0pDupLUgxVB5silBuAepHWTVkuSLzgqVNVj8
Here is a link to my episode on Ambition Radio Podcast
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/ambition-radio/e/68282158?autoplay=true
