5 Things I learned about life, that photography taught me.

I started photography 10 and a half years ago. While there’s still technical knowledge I lack, and I’m always learning, however photography isn’t just something you learn photography can also teach. What photography has taught me in life is numerous. How so ever if there’s just 5 things I can relay to you all, whether it’s common knowledge or just life affirming, it would be this…

1. Saving for gear you can’t outright buy forges fiscal discipline. The end result nets the gear you want and the pride of accomplishment.

Occasionally I’ve had to rob Peter to pay Paul to get equipment I’ve wanted or needed, but some of the most double rewarding experiences were the ones I planned out over a period of time; this was the case with my first camera and first three lenses. I’m reminded every time there’s a big financial endeavor of the time I got into photography and how I overcome anything with a little financial dedication.

2. Doing things outside my wheelhouse of comfort has yielded some of the greatest memories I would not normally have.

All to often I fall into the “comfort zone” that so many other people have in life. Occasionally there will be an opportunity to make more money in photography outside my normal expertise. While it is anxiety ridden leading up to and initially at first the moment of the event, the job eventually works out and at the end looking back I had more fun doing it than passing up the gig. The same can be said when offered tickets to a show, or an invitation to an event. I’m surprisingly an introvert, and have grown to not actively socialize with people unless it’s my livelihood or alcohol was involved. If ever on the fence about going out, or saying “yes” to an invitation, I think back on the net gain of interesting memories I would have if I do go through with it.

3. No matter what you may factor to prepare you for life’s events there will always be just one thing you didn’t expect.

This is not to say don’t bother preparing for what life throws at you, more a lesson in don’t sweat over what all you can’t account for. This lesson was instilled on my first gig for my marketing company. Whether it’s forgetting a memory card, or not getting that exterior shot due to weather there most definitely be that one “x factor” that can be the pebble in your shoe. How handle it or work around it will not only forge you as a person, but will better you in how you rise over adversity…in photography as well as life.

4. People on the whole are more at peace with their imperfections than you are with trying to fix it.

That’s not to say that I don’t hear my fair share of “could you take 10-15 lbs off me in Photoshop (har har har). People are more at peace with that mole or scar than they are with their weight. As a Photoshop-er I’ve been given “the eye” when I say I can take that imperfection off and clear up the skin (with exception to somebody self-conscious about their acne scars) which really lead me, a very self-conscious person about scars given throughout life, to the acceptance of my own flaws physically. It’s helped me at least get over myself and my looks that plagued me since puberty into early adulthood.

5. I’m smart and have a great eye in photography and art.

It’s no surprise that since the “The Krzywonos Wedding” post back in 2017 I’ve been off reservation. I had been dealing with personal mental issues, mostly steaming from childhood, of self worth/ worthiness. In short though I’m back, and much better for taking the time off to sort myself out mentally with a great psychologist and an equally wonderfully understanding psychiatrist. During this time I reflect on some of the work I made just to crank out content and barrel through my issues, sadly though one of them didn’t mentally get the appreciation it deserved despite the lengthy blogs covering the BTS. Meat your Maker was a vanity project turned passion project the moment I knew where I wanted to take it. Now, I’ve heard from friends and family “wow, I really admire your work!” or “Jeez Bender, this is great!”. I always thought it was lip service to make me feel better, like a mother telling her son’s 4 year old crayon drawing was a masterpiece…you know…support the young one’s art endeavors. So shoot back to 2018 and I’m mentally willing myself to try and shoot something to shake off the cobwebs, but I couldn’t, and then I took a look at Meat Your Maker. I started to appreciate my choices in colors and design, I smiled at the memories of the different shoots, and then a “crazy little idea” popped in my head…. “This was good…no this was GREAT!” I started to believe in myself and my vision for an end product. I looked at Epic Mickey….and I cried. Sure it wasn’t Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and yes I may never be noticed for my work, but damn was it impressive to see just somebody one day not only pick up a camera but make these things from scratch, light it, frame it, and capture it… It was probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned yet, and the most important. I know it’s been something people have told me, but when they’ve all been compliments you start to wonder when the other shoe will drop. Even then, take that criticism and learn from it rather than get down on myself or my work.



Apologies if the last one was a little wordy, but with returning to a regular schedule of blogs, posts, and photos, that has been the most inspirational thing I’ve learned from photography thus far. Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you all tomorrow for Flickr Friday and the first post of Project 116*3.