Taking Risks

One of my photography professors went around the room and asked us all who our favorite artists are and why.

We were asked to narrow our reasons down to one or two words.

Being the art history enthusiast that I am I have MANY favorite artists.

I was going to pick Ansel Adams or Dorothea Lange, but thought that would be far too obvious seeing as I was in a photography class.

So I thought.

Whistler.

I absolutely love him and his artwork. I won't bore you with all the fun facts about his life so we'll move on.

I thought in my chair as everyone else spouted off their favorites as to why I really liked him.

and then it hit me.

He takes risks.

Now this wasn't something he was "known for" or whatever. I just get that feeling when I look at his work. While he does have a very distinct style, he creates pieces that are very different.

Some are extremely different from each other.

for example:

Whistler's Mother

This piece is gorgeous and not the "traditional" portrait you would see during his time

But then he would create pieces like this:

{my favorite by the way}

Nocturne in Black and Gold

The Falling Rocket

So abstract and so beautiful. 

A lot of critics didn't like this piece at first.

But he took the risk.

Now what does this have to do with anything?

As a portrait photographer who really wants to emerge into the fine art realm, it's hard for me to see how I could ever do that.

I take pictures for people, and while I do have my personal style, I do cater a lot to the client's wants and needs.

Which I should.

It's hard to take risks in this kind of a circumstance because I am trying to give the client what they want.

So I've decided to separate the two worlds.

{For me this just works better for where I am at right now}

I will have my photography business, and while keeping my personal style and touch in each photo, I will give the client what they want and need.

But

I am also going to start a second portfolio for the things I really want to do

Not photographs for you or for her or for them

Just for me.

And I know I will learn from it, because whether they fail or succeed we always learn from the risks we take.

So this leads to the main question,

Are you taking risks?