THE ON BUTTON IS A WAY OF LIFE
I live in a small house with four kids, beautiful natural light, and simple delicious food.
Moments swirl around me — steam billows from a mug, kids are up to something fun, the sun sets dramatically through our window.
I'm obsessed with all these moments.
NEVER PUT THE CAMERA AWAY
When I'm inspired by a moment, I reach out my arm and pick up my camera.
If the camera isn't withing arms reach I begin to second guess if the moment's even worth the effort of finding the camera — plus it's always too late by the time I find it.
Overthinking and second guessing causes decision fatigue, exhaustion of the mind, making it harder every time you have to think.
Don't think — reach out, grab the camera. Leave it out in the same place all the time.
ALWAYS LEAVE YOUR CAMERA ON
My camera needs to be ready to take a picture so it's always left ON.
If the camera is turned off, I'm switching it ON as I'm picking it up.
Before I'm even turning back toward the moment, the camera is ON and ready to go.
IT'S ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE
When my mind is empty of mundane decision making it's free to see moments.
When I'm inspired without distraction and pick up my camera without hesitation, all my thoughts can be turned toward creativity.
In the few seconds between seeing a moment and turning back with my camera, I'm thinking about one thing; perspective.
From what angle will I photograph this moment?
THE RECIPE FOR MISSING MOMENTS
If an important moment comes along, it’s not going to pause itself while I wander over to the closet and pull out my camera bag.
Moments have no patience for us.
During the months that my camera is packed safely away, I take very few pictures. But when my camera is kept out—in the living room, on the passenger seat, in my pocket—I take thousands of pictures.
I threw away my camera bag, lens caps, and everything else that stands in the way of me and the moment.
THE ON BUTTON RELEASES A FLOOD
It’s not just about being ready — it’s about fulfilling your nature. You are creative. You must explore. The desire to take a picture wells up from within you. If your camera is turned off and packed away, then so are you. It’s like you’re keeping your creative nature dammed up.
NEVER PUT YOUR CAMERA AWAY
Keeping the camera turned on and left out keeps the creative river flowing. Of all my students, the ones who excel the most are the ones who never put their camera away. Through the good and bad, they’re taking a picture.
Life is busy but snapping a picture is a relief. Setting out to explore a new place or chasing our kids with a camera brings us to life.
Become a student of the moment - leave your camera out on the table or a bookshelf or the passenger seat of your car ready to take a picture.
Some people think photography is a great idea - but they never do it. Others actually pick up their camera and take pictures.
By leaving your camera on and laying around, you have created an environment that matches your nature as a creative person.
Turn your camera on and your creative nature turns on too.
I’ll see you next week with another quick photography lesson.
Mat
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