A Journey’s End

They say that change is the only thing that is constant in this world, and I’m starting to believe it. For what has transpired for me the last 5 months of this year, has become a roller coaster of emotions.

I have learned much by being on the road, going on adventures with wanderers, and talking to individuals with stories to tell. But one thing I’ve come to treasure was the journey in photography itself. I come from simple beginnings like most photographers do. Seeing my father’s photographs of his overseas working stint when I was still a kid, I’ve always admired the beautiful sand dunes, sublime sunsets, and interesting people.

It was only then after college and a few office jobs that I finally got the chance to purchase my first camera. It was a triumphant moment in my life, holding my first DSLR. Almost 7 years have passed then and I can remember that day like it was yesterday. But where has photography brought me? And what has it taught me? Let me break down the good and the bad.

There Are No Masters.

The term Master is thrown around quite heavily in the industry and I’ve got nothing against on how some photographers call themselves (or others). But for me, the point of being good or to be a master is to become an eternal student. Yes, it’s nonstop learning for any art.  From posing models, waiting for the right light, what equipment to use, and even how to deal with clients is a learning process for any photographer.

The learning never stops when you’ve finished a workshop or two. 7 years have passed and I still feel like a beginner. I started with street, portraits and recently got into travel. Learn from each shoot and savour the experience. Teach yourself something new each week, be multidimensional in the craft and not focus on just one lighting setup, genre, or process. Happiness is not found in titles but rather on how you become at peace yourself and accept that you’re doing the best that you can.  

Lose The Ego. I’ve always thought that being a photographer, your ultimate goal was to be sponsored by brands and be seen in ads promoting gear. I was wrong. It may be important to gain the public’s attention, because come on right? Our profession rides on publicity. And with more audience we reach, the better chances we can get bookings for shoots. Unfortunately on some cases, ego tends to rise.

With some photographers taking pride in the number of followers rather than the number of good photographs that they can produce, I often wonder where their heart is in the craft. Photography was always about accepting your limitations, the skills that you posses, the hunger for improvement, and to be realistically speaking for the business owners, to put food on the table and pay the bills. Respect is better than fame my friends. Just my 2 cents.

The Bonds We Create and The Bridges We Burn.

Most ends are often disguised as new beginnings. Each client we are done shooting for either gives us another stepping stone or leaves us back at where we started. It may sound quite paradoxical but it’s true. We can always market ourselves as this and that and get the best jobs that clients offer, but our business is only as good as our bond or rather our relationship with them. With a lot of emerging talents out there, there just might be an instance that we can be replaced.

Some may become bitter, losing money and the prestige of shooting events that were once under your belt. But I believe that it’s just a phase. Count your blessings and move forward. And although some might say that you should move on to better things, they’re not wrong. The grass is greener where you water it. Burn the bridge if they’ve left you hanging. No need to mope around and feel sorry for yourself. Strive to become better and meet new people. There are many big fishes in the sea.

It’s been a long run from photographing portraits for a few hundred pesos to photographing the largest pageants in the country. Yes, I’ve started from the bottom. But I’ve somewhat diverged into a different path. My life and photography has become an array of memoirs consisting of the yin and yang of existence.

But I believe in the end that balance, consistency, faith, the capacity to hope, and hard work is what matters. They can take away your cameras, but they can never take away the photographer in you. Everyone wants a happy ending, a life story of romance, success, triumphs, and defeat. But it doesn’t always roll that way, sometimes you just have to go along with the change and roll with life’s punches. Stay true to yourself and reach your goals, whatever it takes.