I have been thinking about this word #style (prompt of the day for Project Life 365) in relation to photography for an entire day. I mean, really thinking about it. Every time I would have some clarity, another question popped up.
What became clear to me in the end is that my photographic style is intrinsically linked to my personal style.
Oh and that I have no definable style.
I don’t dress to impress, I just buy and put on what is comfortable. I like what I see and I pick that. It is real and right in front of me. I never have to go far to look for it. It is hardly trendy although I do try to add in a few special pieces I have seen here and there. For the most part, my wardrobe lasts the test of time. Some of my favorite shoes are my bright colored clogs (one pair is orange and the other is lime green) that I have had for close to twenty years. I love them. They work for me and over the years they have been in and out of fashion a few times. Some years I was actually cool. I have always been a jeans girl, but I have owned many different styles. Skinny jeans are the best for me. I could never make flares or boot cut look good. I buy a new pair of jeans when I wear holes in the knees of the old ones. Those old ones then just become cutoff shorts. I have a rainbow of V-neck t-shirts, but inevitably go for one of the brown or black ones if they are clean. I would never iron a shirt, so I am always a bit rumpled. I am also always ready to play. My hair has been more or less the same for two decades and I have smelled like one perfume for that last 18 years.
The only dresses I wear are empire waist and machine washable. I love to see cute dresses with cinched waists and delicate belts. I never buy them though, because they don’t fit me. I try them on, but just pull and tug at the fabric feeling uncomfortable. If I look in the mirror while wearing it, I think I look fat. There are others who put those dresses on and look like gorgeous. I admire them and women wearing them always catch my eye. Occasionally I feel a tinge of envy, but the older I get, the less that happens. Back in my twenties, I would have done anything to fit into the cute dresses. And I did. But deep down, they were never me.
My basic style has evolved, but it hasn’t changed all that much. The wildly different stuff has never lasted. I have experimented and settled where I am comfortable with myself. I do like to dress up…just not every day. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I feel happiest when I am comfortable. It doesn’t mean that I will not try new things or push myself though. I find boring to be uncomfortable.
It is all the same with my photography. I used to keep notebooks filled with inspiration and ideas. I still do, it is just now that I have them digitally stored in Springpad and Pinterest. I love looking and admiring and soaking up the beauty that is out there. There is so much inspiration all around and I can always find new bits and pieces that work with my style. I just no longer feel compelled to squeeze into those dresses that I know will not feel right on me.
I want people to know that I admire them for their style. That when people are doing what they are best at, it shines. When they try new things and fall in love, I am excited to see the results. Be it outrageous or understated, what feels comfortable to you is your style.
Image info: Right now, capturing the moments while spending less time on the computer is my style. Testing the Samsung Galaxy camera with Android app editing for these images. The review of that camera coming soon, but so far, it fits.
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Hi Rachel, of course this topic did mess with my head…I was very distracted trying to make dinner last night! I finally concluded that maybe my photographic style is something best defined by others. I do know you are SO right about putting on that dress that doesn’t feel comfortable. I have let others’ style influence me too much, and while the picture may have been technically correct and a good imitation, I ended up disliking it.
peninsulaliving on IG
I was so waiting for this post after you mentioned it in Instagram! You see I struggle to identify my style whether it be clothes, home interiors, photography, etc. I’ve still not taken yesterday’s photo as a result. In some ways my photo and commentary for the previous day’s prompt, #this_is_so_me, summarised my style. Then reading your post today, I felt you were writing my story; I could relate to so much of it. Now to figure out an image that represents my style!
I recalled you were going to write a blog post about #style so I thought I’d visit… so glad I did… I think I’ve identified in some way with everything you’ve written (except the skinny jeans part, I’m bootleg all the way ;p) I constantly go back and forth wondering if I should be worried about defining my style and perhaps because I’m a Gemini I fall back on the idea that I simply just don’t want to. I want to be able to shoot what I see the way I see it at that moment in time (and feel comfortable doing it). Thanks for the reassurance
I admire you for your ability to rock a bootleg jean.
Great topic – I agree – I think one can identify IMHO your style as: natural, real, modern, relaxed, comfortable, considered, contemporary and emotive. I think you are not: nice, pretty, cute, fabulous, sexy, adorable, stunning, spunky, classy, edgy, well put together, trendy, elegant, ladylike, graceful, hip, sophisticated, fashionable or chic… which is why I love your work