LocalNavy433 Photography

Hello, and how the hell are you? If this is your first time here, thanks for stopping by! In this blog, we’re diving into why passion is the driving force behind great photography.

This all hit me today after watching a video about why freelancers often lose their passion. For the past two years, I’ve been chasing the title of “professional photographer” it was hard trying to make it work, trying to turn my craft into a career. But somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I got caught up in shooting images the way clients wanted, and my passion for photography slowly drained away.

Losing My Way

I wasn’t shooting the way I knew how I was shooting to deliver what clients expected. My focus shifted entirely to gear, nailing the technical aspects, and achieving the polished final product that others wanted. Sure, I improved, but not in the way I truly wanted. I was lost in the grind of working for the man instead of for myself. And while I was shooting all the time, something always felt off.

I was capturing the photos I needed to get paid, but I was missing the fire I once had. Back when my passion for photography was at its peak, I’d wake up three hours before sunrise, grab my camera, and head out the door. I’d be standing on a riverbank or by a quiet lake, waiting for the perfect light to fill my soul. I’d do the same at sunset, watching the world wake up and fall asleep in the same day.

Back then, I lived and breathed landscape photography. I was the guy who posted new images in groups twice a day. If someone needed help learning how to use a camera, they came to me.

The Downward Spiral

At some point, I went down the path everyone says you should take. You have to teach photography, create content, and constantly prove that you know what you’re doing. But that hustle consumed me. Instead of just enjoying the process, I became obsessed with showing others that I could do it. And in that grind, I lost my passion for simply shooting.

Yes, I was still out with my camera, but not for myself. I was capturing someone else’s vision of what they thought my images should look like. I let it happen.

Reconnecting With My Passion

The truth is, my real passion isn’t just photography it’s watching the sunrise. It’s sitting by a lake or river, listening to the water rush past and the birds sing their morning song. I missed being in the moment, listening to my instincts, and creating images that spoke to me.

So I decided to change that. I grabbed my gear and walked out the door.

Of course, when you haven’t done something for a while, you’re bound to forget a few things. I left my IR remote at home, which meant no long exposures. But even without it, I still captured an image that satisfied my soul. I wanted to create a minimalist shot, and I managed to do it twice. That moment reminded me: I still got it.

Shooting for Myself Again

Photography is my art, my escape, my everything. And today, I was okay with not capturing an award-winning image I captured my image. Thats all I can ask for when I pick up my camera.

This year, I am shifting my focus back to shooting for me. To feeding the passion that once consumed me. Because at the end of the day, I am a landscape photographer at heart. Nothing fuels my soul more than standing behind my camera, waiting for the light to be just right.

And as I stood there this morning, watching the sunrise paint the sky, I smiled and thought: Good morning, Chris. I missed you.

Enjoy from St. Johns, AZ, y’all.