Photograph What Brings You Joy
What’s poppin, people?
It’s Dante.
This morning I’m thinking about why you should only photograph what brings you joy — not just in photography, but in life generally. And what that really means to me.
Nature. Simplicity. Joy.
I’ve been finding so much joy in mundane walks through nature. Photographing botanical things.
The plants. The trees. All the things that are around me in this park.
By photographing these very simple moments — flowers, plants, the way they grow, die, wither, and then regrow again — it brings me an infinite abundance of joy.
“Through creation, I find joy. Through looking at the details and finding meaning in them, I find joy.”
And I just wanted to share that. Because ultimately, with photography, maybe we take it a little bit too seriously.
Play is the Way
As you embrace the spirit of play and simply photograph what brings you the most joy in life, I find that this is where meaning is found.
For me, meaning is found in the process of making photographs that bring me joy. There’s something to be said about cultivating a sense of flourishing in your life.
Despite the external circumstances — like this rainy and gloomy day — I possess a superpower.
“That superpower is simply wielding a camera.”
Having this ability to create.
Photograph with No Limits
And so through creation, I find joy.
And ultimately — is that such a bad thing after all?
I think when you follow your joy in photography, you begin to understand yourself more deeply. Over time, by photographing this way — photographing what brings you joy — you begin to understand:
- How you view the world
- Your unique perspective
- Your spirit and essence
Let go. Let the chips fall as they may. Follow your inner curiosities. Photograph liberally. Photograph with no limits.
“When you photograph with no limits, you’ll start to photograph those little things that bring you happiness. And when you do that, you flourish.”
Joy Comes From Within
Even when it’s gloomy. Even when you feel like you have nothing to say. No inspiration. No photos to take.
Cultivating joy is an internal process.
It’s not pleasure-seeking. It’s not from the world.
It’s from within.
“Through the act of creation, I find joy.”
“Through making something from nothing, I find myself most happy.”
Reflecting the Soul
So, once again — I encourage you:
Photograph what truly makes you happy.
Photograph what makes you feel joyful inside.
Because through that process:
- You’ll have a deeper understanding of your soul
- Of your spirit
- Of how you perceive the world
- Of how you view yourself
And the photographs?
They’ll reflect that soul. They’ll reflect that inner spirit.
“You breathe life into the creations you create.”
There’s something so special about photography and its ability to give life more meaning. More depth. More richness.
Delete Instagram
If you’re still using Instagram… delete your Instagram.
I think the problem with external feedback is this:
- You start to photograph for an audience
- You start to photograph what other people deem good
Disconnect from all those notions of success:
- The gallery
- The book
- The zine
Those things are basic at best.
Let the Light In
Wow. Look at the dew drops this morning.
The trees are starting to bloom.
The cherry blossoms will soon be flourishing.
Let’s go. Let me get a nice photo.
Tinker. Play. Break the Rules.
One thing I’ve been doing: when I use macro mode, I go to 71mm with the crop mode.
I don’t know why. I just started doing this.
It’s interesting to tinker. To play. To break the rules.
Final Thought
The message is very simple and very clear today:
Photograph what makes you joyful.
Natural things certainly make me joyful.
And so I will photograph the botanicals.