Learning to Fly 2024

Good times with good folk

Learning to Fly is a photographer’s retreat in the wilds of Donegal in the north west of Ireland. Donegal is a place of outstanding natural beauty with a peaceful vibe and the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet. The retreat consisted of several talks and mini talks interspersed with yoga, a sound bath, sea swimming, good chats, live shoots and plenty of craic! (noun, Irish – Enjoyable social activity/a good time)

I was lucky enough to have been asked to give a little talk, (thank you Jay). Because I’m a science geek I spoke about neurotransmitters such as Seratonin and Oxytocin and how our state of mind can affect how and what we shoot, and how we can encourage the release of ‘brain chemicals’ in our clients to help them to have fun or relax in front of the camera. Much of what I spoke about was inspired by a book called ‘High on Life’ by David JP Philips. Check it out if you’re interested in that kind of thing.

Creativity and Mental Health

First off I need to say that I don’t see wedding photography as a job. I see it as a creative endeavour, a personal account of people and scenes that I empathise with. My clients know that I have artistic freedom when it comes to how I photograph their wedding and they put a lot of trust in me to be able to tune in with them as a couple and the wedding day they have planned in order to create unique, heartfelt and artistic images. This is great of course, but it doesn’t come without its pressures and worries. Will they like the photos? Am I veering too far form the mainstream? Will my images meet their expectations? This doubt combined with external pressures of booking weddings and the huge increase in the standard of wedding photography over the past few years contribute to the potential for some serious self doubt, imposter syndrome and creative burnout.

During the latter part of 2024 I made the decision to strip back what I was doing, focusing on the photography and my clients, giving social media a wide berth and going back to the kind of photography that I enjoy, and that has kept me motivated and creatively fulfilled for nearly 20 years. Attending LTF helped to solidify what I already knew, and helped me to focus in on the reasons why we do what we do as photographers. It comes down to having an interest in helping people, making connections, photographing moments, creating images that mean something and will continue to mean something.

Maybe it’s just wedding photography. But maybe it’s much more than that.