To Grow as an artist…

March 2022 was incredibly exciting for me. Not only did I launch my new website, but also at the end of the month, I was going to do something, that probably would change my life. And now when the time passes by, I know it did. I was going to my first ever photography retreat Dive Deep with the one and only John Dolan in North Adams, MA. It was a unique experience for me as an artist. Not only because I received my first ever professional critique, personally from John, but mostly it made me rethink the way I approach wedding photography and made me think about the tools I’m using. I can’t explain John Dolan's process, because it is very personal and individual for every single one of us. I will show you some images from that time I took because not only the work I did there was incredibly eye-opening but also because the scenery was so absolutely beautiful.

We were ten different photographers - different in styles, but what united us, was the idea to improve our services, our photography, and our art. I will be forever grateful to John and all the other talented humans who I’ve met in North Adams. And here is a quote from John Dolan, that maybe will get you to understand a bit more his approach to weddings.

Pre-wedding checklist:

Empty Expectations.
MOVE WITH GRACE.
Take a seat. LISTEN. Chat.
DON’t PUSH.
POUNCE WHEN THRILLED.
HAVE A GLASS OF WINE.
SEIZE THE INVISIBLE.
READ THE ROOM.
JOIN THE PARTY. DANCE.
WALK OUT AND LOOK BACK.
SEE ANEW.
THIS NIGHT HAPPENS ONCE.

What John and his more than 35 years of experience teach are in this sentence. We as photographers should document what we see, not direct it, because what stays after the wedding are not the epic arches and crazy installs, but the experience, the memories, and the connections reviled in the pictures we created. And I believe in that - we photograph people, we should listen to their stories and stay away from the cookie-cutter approach, because every couple is different, they love differently, they hug and kiss differently and we should respect that and we should focus on that too.

I dedicate the last week of march to exactly that - to grow as an artist. I did not book any calls during that time, I didn’t do any gallery proofing, I book this time for myself - three days before the workshop started - to set a foot in North Adams and to read all the books I have to read for the retreat. I stayed in an old 1800s house with a low ceiling but beautifully decorated. For the first three days, I didn’t go out surviving on coffee and carrots (literally), because I didn’t want to lose any time. I want to improve my services and document history in the most creative, artistic and unique way.