Photography while very much an art can definitely depend on the photographers mood. Many times our moods are reflected in our work or in our inability to work.

Back in September at one of the last horse shows of the super short season I was just not in the mood to photograph and it happens. I could have forced myself which would have resulted in a lot of half-assed images not up to my standards or I could listen to my mood. I wanted to go to the horse show and hang out with my sister and show buddies but I just uninspired to shoot— I also had a strong desire to just be and read.

So I packed the camera in case I changed my mind, packed a book, and hopped in the truck. I started off setting up in my usual spot if I decided to shoot, then pulled out my book to read during drags and warm ups. Eventually I decided I would take some photos but wasn’t feeling the idea of photographing every run or the editing that would come from that. In the end I photographed my sisters runs and her students runs. About five runs over all, the challenge there was no practice shots to get the lighting right or get on my game.

In the end it was a fun show, a relaxing evening, and in a year I wasn’t shooting much or anything because of covid it was a stress free moment greatly needed. Photographers face burn out and even when not shooting much of the stress of our businesses, gaining clients, marketing, and for me how to make sure my business can weather a pandemic has been the fore front of my mind.

Take care of yourselves and have you time even when you should be shooting.