Why I Like Photo Walks. And Why You Should Give It A Go, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It.
Welcome To My First Blog Post
This marks the launch of my personal photography and film blog, and if you are here reading this—thank you.
I’ll start with a quick introduction to who I am and what this Viewfinder Moments is all about. Then we’ll dive straight into our first topic: the benefits of photo walks.
What is my blog about
Viewfinder Moments is my primary outlet to talk about all things photography and film — sharing stories, experiences, lessons I’ve picked up along the way, and my philosophy on photography, filmmaking, and living your best life. It’s meant to complement my YouTube channel, which I’m working on reviving with an AED (defibrillator for the creatively dead).
While I might occasionally talk about gear, that’s not my main focus. I’m a gear minimalist (though you’d never guess if you peeked inside my studio). It’s more about philosophy, discovery, experiences, and lessons learned along my journey. I’ve loved photography since I was a teenager and got serious about it in the late ’90s and early 2000s. I got my first digital camera in 2002, after years of shooting and developing film. I remember a conversation with a photography instructor who emphatically told me digital would never replace film in the commercial world — especially not medium format film. After that, I took my photography education into my own hands. Now film photography is having a revival, which is great for photography and those who came along in the digital era.
Mostly, I’ve been a hobbyist photographer, doing some paid work here and there until we moved from America to Ireland in 2022. That life change pushed me to follow my dream and start a photography business. Over the last year, it’s evolved mostly into portrait work, though I still do drone work for commercial clients. You can check out my professional site here.
Otherwise, you can see some of my personal work from over the years in the “Series” section in the near future, as it is still in development and I will be building this out over time.
With that said … let’s get on to photo walks.
Where I most frequently post
Benefits of Photo Walks
I love going on photo walks… well once I get out of the house and going. It is all too easy to talk myself out of going or making excuses why I can’t go that particular day. But when I get out and shooting—I love it. It is like that old fishing saying that I will adapt for photography, “The worst day of shooting photography is better than the best day of working.” I can’t think of a photo walk I have taken, that I regretted the time out with my camera.
The obvious first benefit is that you are out with a camera exercising your creativity and making art. One gets better through practice, and regular outings let you practice and learn new skills, both technical and artistic. Try new things, get out of your comfort zone. I currently am working on my courage to approach strangers to take their portraits (I’ll talk about that in another post). Don’t go at it having to always get a banger of a photo. You don’t have to be so goal oriented. Enjoy the process over the outcome. You’ll find that you start getting more keepers. Even it you have come away with nothing you want to share, the journey is good for the soul.
Physical and mental health. It gets you out for some exercise and fresh air. A great way to clear your head and de-stress. Combine it with practicing mindfulness and being present, and you’ll also be sharpening your photographic eye. You’ll start noticing more than you would have normally. Definitely noticing more than the average person strolling around. The more you do it, the greater creative inspiration you will develop. It can be a meditative experience if you are present in your surroundings not drifting mentally about other shit you have to get done at some point in the day. I often go in the mornings before the hustle and bustle, when there are fewer people than the masses that will arrive later in the day. I also tend to stop somewhere along my walk and actually meditate, if my surrounding are safe. Or I go get a coffee, people watch, and review what I have photographed. You’re out getting exercise and switching off the static of being digitally connected to the matrix.
It is a fabulous way to connect with people, either subjects, people walking themselves, or other photographers. It can be a social thing or attend a meet-up. Lots of photographers like to wander and shoot with like minded people, and look at these opportunities to grow or join a community … their tribe. I personally enjoy a mix of solo shooting and shooting with others, though mostly the former over the latter.
You may just find something unexpected, an extraordinary moment out of the ordinary. I can’t promise you, but I would say more likely than not, you will end your photo walk feeling that it was time well spent.
Now … some images from my last photo walk
(click an image for Lightbox view)
