Whitney Martin Photography | Austin Texas »

Photography is SO personal. How personal should this blogsite be? As photographers/artists/people, how much are we willing to expose?

I constantly go back and forth on this question. I realize that no matter how many words I use to describe my photos, my photos alone illustrate so much about my life. Now as I think of myself more as a wedding/portrait/event photographer than a photojournalist striving for public awareness, this does not change. My clients will receive photographs that are a combination of my style, my view points, influences, aesthetic, etc and their style and their beautiful faces. This is how it should be.

I am so inspired by artists like my singer/songwriter cousin and brilliant cousin who is an actress-both have gracefully opened up, baring their souls to perfect their craft. In these brave acts, they are becoming leaders by sharing so much of themselves to strangers. This is difficult when innately we are private people who connect more on a one on one level.

As I was updating some older entries, it kind of dawned on me how much my photography has evolved in terms of what I choose to photograph. Older entries are characterized by travels and the desire to get up and go. I am nearly 30 years old now and for some reason or another, I am photographing closer to home. You can see this gradual shift in my pictures. It’s so interesting.

Texas is not new and I miss traveling deeply. However, this big Lone Star State soothes my soul-it’s inviting, it’s warm and I feel a sense of security knowing the 2.5 seasons we have here- Spring, Summer and a mix between Fall and Winter. I feel a sense of security as I invest more time and money into my house. I like knowing that stretch of highway between Austin, San Antonio, and Del Rio is always there and I can go to these places easy and often.

I  wanted to share this observation because just as I expect my clients to open up to me, I realize I have to open up to them to see if we can connect and make some good pictures. I think every once in a while (sometimes I do this too much), it’s important to look at your life objectively-it’s helpful to keep questioning, seeking, wandering because ultimately these thoughts will take us to where we want to be.

Ok I’ll get off my soap box now!! Happy Easter weekend!!

ps. I am in LOVE with the contax 645 camera.