I have just returned from a family trip to beautiful Iceland. While there, I experienced a moment where I was so overcome by the beauty of nature and the moment that had been created by it, my eyes literally filled with tears. We had gone to see the waterfall called Selandjafoss. Once there, you have the unique ability to walk behind the main fall. To do so requires you to climb down a very wet and slippery path to an equally wet and slippery cave. My heart lurched when I saw it and I actually hesitated. As much as I knew this was something I had to experience, the idea of going down there with my two young children gave me heart palpitations. Nonetheless, we went and the sheer beauty of the moment will live with me forever. Both my husband, Bob, and my 8 year old son, Jack, stood close enough to the secondary stream to get totally soaked. I was happy to stand back and take the pictures.
As we were climbing out, a new group was descending. I noticed that one young woman with the group stayed back at the top of the path while the others went down to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. Being the first of our group to reach her, I remarked at how amazing the experience was and how I thought she should continue on with her group thinking that, perhaps she was a ‘Safety Spice’ like me and just needed a little extra encouragement. She hesitated in her response but eventually said, ‘Yes, I know…’ while she stood there not moving on. As she was obviously not from Iceland and I am the sort to push a bit, I then pointed out how far she had travelled to get to this point and how she would most likely never have this opportunity again in her life, so she should really take advantage of it. She then sheepishly replied, ‘I don’t want to get my hair wet’.
She didn’t want to get her hair wet.
Because of this, she missed out on what will not only remain a highlight of my trip, but one of my favorite moments in nature to date. Yes, it is possible that it would not have been this significant to her. But here’s the thing…she’ll never know what it would mean to her. And, all for attempting to keep her hair neat and tidy.
There is a lot of talk in the industry about finding a voice or a style…finding that one thing that makes you unique. I know that the safe thing to do is shoot what you see others shooting and succeeding..to shoot what it is you think your clients want to see. But, we all know that in a sea of photographers that is not going to get you noticed. That is not going to help you stand out. Well, I would argue that one way to start you on your journey to finding your voice is to take risks in your work. In those moments when you shoot things that, for any number of reasons, cause you to hesitate, it is like taking that next step towards finding those answers you seek. I do not guarantee that you will always end up with a life altering moment, but I know that you for sure won’t have one standing back keeping dry. So…try something different. Something maybe just a little bit scary. Go ahead. Get your hair wet.
Pingback: Iceland With Kids–The Golden Circle