Krystyn Heide

For years, I've spent entirely too much time thinking about what I want to photograph and how I want to photograph it before I actually get behind the lens. Part of it stems from being an art school student, where I not only had to develop good composition and technical skills for my grade, but also had to attend critique once a month. In a room full of my peers and teachers, I had to discuss what I was trying to achieve in the photograph I chose for the session.

Being under the microscope like that made me start questioning what I was shooting and why. I almost stopped taking pictures all together, because I thought I was incapable of any artistic vision. But I stuck with it, and as I matured a little those college years, I started to realize that a lot of artists need "concepts" and "statements" and "hype" to get them noticed. I'm not that kind of artist. I just like to take pictures.

When I was asked to take part of Shutter Sisters, a part of that insecure girl from art school resurfaced. I asked Tracey if I could just post once a month instead of once a week and blamed it on my workload. In hindsight? I think it was because I was afraid my photos weren't strong enough for an online critique.

Then something Maile wrote really resonated with me, and just last week Sarah-Ji said 'just shoot it'. So I listened. And I captured moments like this. Shots that just... happen. Occurrences and surroundings I see every day and have missed as great photo opportunities. I'm having more fun with my camera then I have in ages.

What about you? Do you take pictures? What got you interested in photography? And how have your images changed since you first got behind a camera?

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