Nirav has a unique eye for beautiful production design. He can show you exactly how to shoot the same images as he does, but he emphasizes that this isnāt why he teaches; photography is most powerful when you can show who you are, and why your work means something you. Discussions with him can be about anything you want, including how awkward social media can be when youāre trying to be honest, intentional, and in love with your work without external validation, and how to find inspiration without succumbing to copycat tendencies and āIām not good enoughā mentalities. Itās easy to say āBe your own person because everyone else is taken,ā and harder to practice. It helps to have workshops like Niravās, to remind yourself that you donāt need to be someone else to create work you love.ā
This love letter is to the group I attended the workshop with, and to Nirav and Britta. Coming home after the workshop, I had a minor panic attack, and to center myself, I created a mile long gratitude list that included: gratitude for the people important in Nirav and Brittaās lives, whose love and support molded them into people Iām grateful to have met; gratitude for soulful and talented artists who are generous about sharing their experiences, knowledge, and vulnerabilities; gratitude for Instagram, because for all the anxiety and stress it breeds, it also builds and brings rich communities together; and gratitude for electricity, running water, and pizza.ā
Iām also grateful for James. Mental health can be difficult to manage when youāre with someone you love because the fear of hurting them can worsen your ability breathe and ride through emotional turbulence. When I think about this workshop, I also think about how kind and patient he was helping me get back to normal again.ā
Okay, essay time is over. Getting back the film I got at the workshop put me into personal story sharing mode, and this is all I want to say. I donāt want storytelling to be a one way street though, so if you ever have something you want to share please feel free to message me ā¤ļø
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