Friendship and Photography

Photography is one of those unique hobbies, or vocations, that is excellent to do on your own, with a companion, or with a group of friends.

Steven and I do a lot of shooting together. Together, we push each other to expand our horizons, see things from a different perspective, or to try a new approach. We have even been known to steal ideas from each other.

We have a number of friends in photography, including Bonnie and Chris Allen of Asheville Photo Tours. We really enjoy getting together and shooting with them. Steven, Chris, Bonnie and I are in a hangout with two other wonderful photographers, Bill and Connie. Bill lives two states away and Connie is two time zones away. We generally meet online once a month, though since the lock down, we have been meeting a little more frequently. Each of us, if we have been out shooting, generally shares some photographs with the group and if we want, the others will critique them. I enjoy the discussion and the camaraderie.

In the past, we have met with large groups of people to shoot - in workshops, clubs, etc. While it is nice doing this from time to time, I get a little frustrated in large groups. I really enjoy smaller groups - up to 6 or so. I find that there is enough room for everyone to shoot without someone getting their toes stepped on and you have a greater opportunity of getting to know people.

With today's online photography communities; Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, etc. We follow a great many wonderful photographers. We are both inspired and humbled by their bodies of work. Many are almost like friends, even though we've never met face to face. Although, if you are out shooting enough in the same area, you probably will cross paths. We have run into quite a few people we follow in our area.

I guess, to wrap this up, it doesn't really matter how you do this, with others or on your own. I hope you get out and create something beautiful.

This picture is one I took during a mountain workshop we took awhile back.