Shutter Therapy

One of my greatest joys in life is photography. I've always been an artist, but photography has been the art form that has most impacted my soul and most vividly communicated my heart and soul. In the midst of a dark time in my life, the aperture of my camera somehow became the aperture of my soul, opening up a space for light to come back in; revealing the beauty of life in a fresh way. When the lens is pointed at you, you feel it. There is an element of vulnerability that comes with standing in front of that intimidating contraption, and that's why I make self portraits. When I choose to embrace that vulnerability, I enable myself to dig deep into who I am and how I see myself and the world.

It is this experience with photography that forms my style and helps shape how I do my photo-shoots. It's part of the reason why so many of my clients and models have been able to walk away from our time together feeling like they were heard; truly seen and accepted as they are. I do not say this to brag, but instead to express how much of an impact photography can have when implemented correctly. When I create with someone I want to create authenticity, whether that be joy, pain, anxiety, rage, etc. If your going to get in front of my camera, I'm not going to just capture a face plastered with a fake smile, but instead I am going to capture your beauty, even if you don't know it exists. And I assure you, it does exist.

In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the top need is self-actualization which is the desire to become the most one can be and includes creativity, self expression, and individuality. For me, photography was a major gateway to self-actualization. Maybe that the case for you. Maybe it isn't. Maybe it's sewing, or hiking, or skydiving, whatever! Chase that passion and let it form you, draw out your true self. And maybe you haven't found "that one thing" yet and that's ok! Keep searching and keep pursuing the formation of your best self.

Thank you for reading, and until next time...

I am Stephen Green. Welcome to my world.

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