As a photographer working with clients and helping other photographers to improve their craft it’s far too easy to forget about what is at times the most important in all of this... YOU.

This craft is amazing.  A simple black box of bits and wires (The Camera) can introduce you to some amazing people and open many doors that might stay closed or otherwise undiscovered, But it can kick your ass any day of the week and twice on Sunday if you forget to take care of yourself and if you let it.

We all need down time from work and other things in life, but it can be difficult to remember that in today’s busy world.

For me my down time has been left on the side lines and I needed to do something about it.  You might think that picking the camera up would be the exact opposite of down time but you would be wrong.

Currently two things clear my head.

1. Training/Running. (I need to do this more often than I do)
2. Having a camera in my hand. (this includes with client work or personal)

Which brings me to personal work/projects. 

Shooting personal work for your book, a project or just for yourself is the only way to keep creating at camera in between client work.  The second half of 2017 will be filled with as much of it as possible.  It has to be.

If you don’t create for yourself as well as for clients/future client work you WILL burn out.  Listen for the signs.

Sometimes you will need to down camera for a day or two and go do something else, and others you will need to pick that camera up to keep moving forward, create work or throw stuff at a wall and see what sticks…press that shutter button... turn on lights… and ultimately Get To Work.  

Before we get back to the shoot and some images I want to say thanks to my good friend Stuart McLernon (who also shot on the day) and to Kayah for making the day enjoyable and fun.

Stuart – Thank you for your recent words and virtual slap. Much needed.

If you are wondering what that last bit was about sorry it’s a personal thing, but I will tell you that Stuart has in recent years become a good friend and without sounding all corporate a good colleague to work with within photography. Find your network of creatives to hang with and work with, otherwise this can be a lonely lonely place… trust me.

Back to the shoot.

This was my first visit to Delamere Forest and I really enjoyed it.  Not only has it got some great potential photographically it is also a cheap and fun day out either by yourself or with friends or family.

After collecting Kayah, both myself and Stuart spent the car journey time getting to know her and breaking the ice. It’s important that you spend time on this part no matter who it is you are photographing as it can only lead to better photographs/portraits.

As you can imagine with Delamere being a popular forest site it had a lot of public around and that meant compromising on some shots and or waiting until they had cleared from an area.  One tip for you is to not be a dick about this, ask nicely if you need someone to move, or if it is a family enjoying a certain area or attraction at the Forest let them enjoy it and move on/wait.

That said we had no trouble during the day and everyone we met was great including the Forest staff.

We started in a wooded area that was busy with Fern and other plant life which also came with what Stuart referred to as Saber Toothed Midge Bugs, those little buggers bite a lot.  We still manage to survive though.

Note to self. Take repellent next time.

The Forest holds a lot of potential for portraits, ranging from simple woodland or some more ethereal images. I even spotted a great location for a band/group shot whilst at Delamere but that would need some planning, more lights and a boat.  Anyway…

Below are a few images from the day and remember if you have not created for yourself for a while go do it and thank me later.
 

Thank You

Rick