LocalNavy433 Photography

Hello, and how the hell are you? If this is your first time here, thanks for stopping by! In today’s blog, I’m reflecting on how I feel I should have learned photography. This realization has been creeping into my mind for a few years, but it fully hit me while brainstorming a project to help me grow in my craft. That’s when it dawned on me: I learned photography the wrong way.

These days, the way people learn photography hasn’t changed much from how I learned it. With so much information available at our fingertips, there’s little need to sit in a classroom and study the history of photography. Those days are gone, replaced by the instant accessibility of YouTube and Google.

I’m not knocking it—far from it. I love the fact that you can search for a specific topic and instantly learn how to perform a task. This modern approach to learning is incredible. I’ve learned so much about the world this way. But as someone who has been on this photography journey for over seven years, I’ve realized that there’s a critical piece missing from the puzzle.

My Photography Journey

Over these seven years, photography has been an absolute blast. It’s helped me grow as a person while photographing people, places, and cities. Every shoot leaves me with insights into the different walks of life people are in and how their unique experiences shape them.

For example, I love capturing the joy and anticipation of high school seniors as they prepare to take the next step in their lives. Photographing young couples and their children brings me immense joy—it’s a privilege to document a special chapter in their lives. And then there’s something unexpected: my newfound interest in elderly portrait photography.

One of my current ideas is to create a book celebrating the lives of veterans in my small town. Sure, projects like this have been done before, but this will be my take on it. To prepare, I’ve been studying what makes a compelling photograph for this genre of portraits.

The Realization

This is where the twist comes in—where I learned that I approached photography the wrong way.

When I first started, I focused entirely on the technical aspects of photography. I thought mastering my camera’s settings and understanding lighting meant I was a photographer. And, to an extent, I was right.

I can create compelling compositions.

I can craft thought-provoking images.

I can make a photo instead of just taking a photo.

But there was something missing: the art.

I hadn’t truly taken the time to understand the artistic process behind photography. I was shooting without thinking deeply about how to create images that tell a story, evoke emotions, or leave a lasting impact.

Embracing the Art of Photography

Now, as I take on this book project, I’ve realized I need to create images that pull at heartstrings. These photographs need to tell the stories of my subjects—what they’ve been through and who they are—not just through my lens but through their eyes.

In all the YouTube videos I watched early on, not one truly taught me why or how to make a meaningful photograph. I now realize I should have spent more time reading about photography, learning from others, and diving into the artistic side of composition.

This isn’t a regret—it’s a growth opportunity. I’m determined to use this realization to grow as a photographer and as a person. There’s power in knowledge, especially when you know where and how to apply it.

Looking Back to Move Forward

What do I bring to the art of photography? How can I create better, more meaningful images? These are the questions I’m asking myself now, and they’re questions I overlooked at the start of my journey.

To me, the art of photography is about creating an image that makes you think—an image that stands the test of time. That’s where my focus is right now. Who knows where I’ll be in five or ten years?

One thing is certain: I love photography deeply. It’s a craft that inspires me to grow, and to do that, I need to look back. I need to learn from those who came before me and understand why they did what they did to become artistic photographers.

So here’s to the journey—enjoying life and photography from St. Johns, AZ.