I’ve been to the Salton Sea several times now, but this was the first time I went without needing to shoot a couple. I went when Samm Blake came to visit San Diego (she’s from Australia), and it was the first time we actually MET, after knowing each other online for many many years (before we even became wedding photographers). I decided to post a few, since it has been a while since I’ve posted anything personal that wasn’t a polaroid.

The backstory of the Salton Sea is that it was created when the Colorado River flooded around the turn of the last century. It was originally touted to be a resort area, with yacht clubs, and boats and water skiing and swimming. But due to many factors (dying fish, high saline content, flooding), it didn’t survive this dream, and now it’s abandoned except for the few people who decided that the Salton Sea is home. Going to the Salton Sea is always a surreal experience, especially at what I think is the most beautiful time to visit it, sunset. The whole place transforms to this serene and abandoned beauty. We stayed well past sunset, as evidenced by some of Samm’s photos on her blog.

What also intrigues me about the place is whenever I see other photographer’s photos of the place – it’s like you can see time pass through it. (For example, we did this shoot a few years ago using that blue chair we found there, and then I found this photo from another photographer of the same chair over a year later. In a different location and totally decayed.) Everytime I see a new photo from a different photographer, you can see how much it decays.

But it is beautiful, and I definitely think worth the 3 hour drive. :)

Enjoy!

P.S. that motel that we shot in is gone! they tore it down :(

“An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and ON HIS OWN TERMS, not anyone else’s.”
- J. D. Salinger (Franny & Zooey)

Being an artist is hard. Let no one tell you otherwise. It’s amazing, but it. is. hard. We go through ups and downs in life just like everyone else, but magnified 1000 times because as artists, we’re to be more in tune with our emotions. There are times when these emotions overwhelm, and cause the desire to bury ourselves under the covers until it’s okay to come out. Other times it’s so wonderful that you feel on top of the world. You’re on cloud nine and can float through the air. It’s great when you feel like that. :)

I am lucky to be doing what I do – to be an artist. Many art jobs require you to be completely at the whim of your client. I hear it from designer friends and the dreaded “difference in vision” and “revisions of a creation.” Often what they want to say doesn’t get to be said because of what others want it to say. Being a wedding photographer, I am lucky because my clients seek me for my voice. This is important.

Each artist has a voice, a different view of the world. We all have something to say, and a way to express it. Upon expressing it, it’s almost like we’re giving a part of ourselves away to share with others.

Here, take this, this is yours to experience and see.

It’s sooo validating as an artist when I have a client who tells me that what they are most attracted to my photography is the way I see things. My perspective. This is so vital because without it, my photography wouldn’t be MY photography. It could be anyone else’s photography. I know that a client and I are a right fit when they tell me these things because that’s what makes me who I am as an artist. My perspective. On life, on love, on the people around me, in weddings, events and shoots. How I photograph these moments in life is largely dependent on how I see things. And what I want to say. My voice.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with other artists/photographers – marveling at their work, wondering why our work can’t be like that. Thinking that we suck because we’re not like _________. We could never take photos like _________. But you know what, that’s okay, because you’re NOT _______. You’re who you are, and who you are and what you have to say is still important and special. You just need the courage to say it. The artists that I admire tend to be people who say what they want to say in their work; screw what anyone else thinks. It’s about being vulnerable. It’s scary, yes. But it’s what attracts people to certain art and artists, I think. They see YOU in it.

I am blessed. Blessed to be sharing with you all. Blessed to be working as a wedding photographer, where people do seek me for my voice. Not just because I’m a “good photographer” but because they enjoy the way I see things. And want me to see and experience their wedding with them, and capture it to remember. Sure, this all really sounds cheesy, but I believe it with all my heart. :)

And to leave this post, here’s a very inspiring video by Zach Arias.