AUTHENTICITY IS DEAD - LONG LIVE EXISTENTIALISM
Existentialism [ eg-zi-sten-shuh-liz-uhm, ek-si- ] - noun Philosophy. Taken from Dictionary.com
A philosophical movement that stresses the individual's unique position as a self-determining agent responsible for making meaningful, authentic choices in a universe seen as purposeless or irrational: existentialism is associated especially with Heidegger, Jaspers, Marcel, and Sartre, and is opposed to philosophical rationalism and empiricism.
AUTHENTICITY IS A HOAX
Probably not factually true.. in a world of fake news and endless sources of useless information, we can tend to become dependent on and latch onto a particular source, whether that’s false or not, it resonates with us for some reason. It speaks our own internal language.
I began thinking about how I, myself was using Authenticity to send out my branding message and tapping in to those buzz words that people might use to find me in this vast ocean of shit and fake news and stimulants that may or may not stop us for a few moments from doom scrolling our way into infinity... The thing is that I’d been using the word Authentic with complete disregard for it’s meaning. How the heck can I be an Authentic Photographer?!
“I think, therefore I Am” springs to mind. I’m alive, I’m here in the world. I can be in front of you and make a picture of you in front of my camera. Surely there’s nothing more Authentic than that?! It’s happened right there and then with living proof in the camera. Again, back to Descartes, Even the body is not so certain a thing as the mind.
So that body of work doesn’t exist without a mind to perceive it... Stick with me here!!
HOW DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS?!
Every single mind is different in how things are perceived. So by slapping such a broad brush on it and using the term “Authentic Wedding Photographer” actually says nothing and offers value to no one!
If I was being my true “Authentic Self” I would only use the word internally and ask myself the question, am I being true to myself by presenting this, if the answer is yes then that’s good enough.. being something you’re not or trying to be something to everyone is not good enough, and again, helps no one! An old friend of mine always said, “you put shit in, you get shit out” and that sticks! (no pun intended) There has to be a deeper, more meaningful connection.
Human interaction cannot be faked or forced and we can tell this a mile off through instinct. Absolutely, I could pretend to really care about your choice of wedding outfit or where and how you and your partner first met. And exclaim “Ooh how did you propose?” but you would see right through it as marketing salesy wizardry and poooof! The trust is gone. Unless we can actually connect on a mutual and personal level, you won’t hear me asking those questions!
…Plus I’m a complete and utter introvert who finds the smallest encounter practically unbearable. All I can really do is offer up what I do on a fresh hot plate of deliciousness and hope it doesn’t get thrown back and scraped off into the bin.
NOT ANOTHER BORING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!
The truth is that I absolutely love and find so much joy in what I do, my style and approach to photography has it’s place and that’s where I can add value and I give it my absolute all. I want to tell a story that resonates on a personal level, rather than just a narrative, a collection of images and hero shots.
As well as aesthetics, I need to generate intrigue and wonder because you could say that, wedding images are nothing special, until they are yours, and you create a purpose for them in your life.
