Etsy

I have always struggled with describing myself.  You know...  When people say "What do you do?"  Well, I'm clearly a photographer.  I have no problem calling myself that.  There's another word, though, that I really struggle with.

Artist

Why is it so difficult for me to consider myself an artist?  Is it because artists are sometimes considered flaky?  Maybe.  I like to think I'm pretty level headed but I know I can flake out on occasion and I don't think I'm too concerned about it as long as they see me as flaky but likable   I really think it's more than that.  I think it is a confidence thing.  First of all, the 'art' I generally create has a fairly specific & relatively small audience.  Most people enjoy it but its true value is really to the individuals involved:  the brides, the grooms, the family, the high school senior, etc...  Although I never belittle the meaning of what I do, capturing the special moments in people's lives isn't something I take lightly.  Generally, you wouldn't buy a photo unless the person in it was someone that mattered to you.  Right?  And somehow, calling myself a photographic artist just sounds a little too pretentious for me.  I'm the chick that's willing to make dog noises for smiles.  I'm hardly pretentious.

But being an artist isn't really about being pretentious.  It's about creating something of beauty and sharing it.  And those two things bring me something I've learned I value very much:  Contentment.  Contentment is a state of physical and emotional satisfaction, peace of mind.  Isn't that what we all really want out of life?    Contentment is its own type of joy.

I realized that the work of dk photographic brings me joy.  I'm HAPPY when I get the chance to capture your memories and document a special time in your life.  But there's a part of me...  a part that wants to create or capture beautiful things.  I don't do it for anyone but myself and that work brings that feeling of contentment.  There are a few of those such photos on my website but not too many.  For years, those "just foe me" photos have been sitting on my computer's hard drive feeling unloved and unappreciated.  I hated that my sweet images were feeling so neglected so I decided to pull a few of them out and open an Etsy shop.  Now, not only are they being shared, they have the chance to be printed, admired & loved in someone's home.

I hope you'll visit the shop and maybe...  find something that makes you feel contented when you look at it.

Big hugs!!