One of the coolest things as a photographer is befriending other photographers. Especially the vastly more experienced, better established, and more accomplished ones who are kind, mentoring, and willing to sign their books for you.
I am a lucky little bunny. I have meant many such photographers but one who stands out in my mind is Paul Liebhardt who I am a die hard fan of his travel photography and hope one day to reach that level of work. I meant Paul when I was a student and a photographers assistant on the Fall 2012 voyage of Semester at Sea.
At the time whenever I saw him he always offered a kind word, advice, and was generally just awesome to sit and chat with whether in port or in the dining room. I was introduced to him and his work through Semester at Sea and I walked off that ship wanting to own his published works. So when I got home and after an acceptable recuperation period had gone by I messaged him and purchased some of his works.
He graciously signed them and the advice and words he wrote in Sea Life have stuck with me since I received and read them.
“For Tiffany— I am so glad you are a fellow photographer! Hope you stick with it. Photography can provide you with a life of adventure, the ability to really see the world and the means to preserve your memories forever. Don’t forget the world speaks in 1900 or so tongues, but see in only one— and that is the one photographers speak! By seeing things a photographer can be seen and by feeling dreams and capturing those feelings with a camera you can be free!”
The world sees in only one tongue captured my attention and that phrase has lived in my mind for a long while.
On bad days, or days when I question what I am doing I remember I am speaking in a different language and I am working for the audience that seeks out what I am saying. That I am capturing feelings, thoughts, and the dreams of others as much as my own to share with the world.
I hope Paul’s words can inspire you and your own works!