As artists and creative professionals inspiration and immersing yourself in what you love are key to success and happiness. Since moving to Tampa, Florida from Kansas City a few months back I have really struggled with inspiration. While living in downtown Kansas City and attending the Kansas City Urban Design Center I found myself very inspired not only by my surroundings but also by the people I was spending my time with. As you will notice from many of my photos I was inspired by the urban landscape of Kansas City and it was what I loved to shoot. In addition it was during this year in KC when I took up photography, prior to last September I had never shot anything other than a 3 megapixel Canon point and shoot. However because I was so inspired in KC I was still able to make great photographs despite my lack of experience.

Since moving to Tampa, Florida this past May I have really struggled with inspiration. I don’t know if it was because I was a little reluctant to move here, the incredibly hot summers, or the fact that I started working full time after graduation. What it boils down to is I was out of my comfort zone, I did not know the area well and was not sure what I wanted to shoot anymore. Within the last couple of weeks I finally got my inspiration back and now I am in love with the beautiful beaches here in Florida and the beach lifestyle. Therefore my goal now is too focus more on creating beach lifestyle images that really capture the essence of beach life in the South.  My first shoot took place with my wife last night at a local beach where we went about an hour before sunset to enjoy some wine. While there I was able to capture a few images of my wife.

Now that I have realized what inspires me down here and what I love to shoot my goal is to save my pennies for new gear, which my wife and I have been doing for a few months now, get in touch with photographers whos work I look up to, and to just keep shooting what I love. What I have to remember is the results will start poring in as long as I am patient and stay true to what it is I love to shoot, and new gear would not hurt a bit, a 5 year old Olympus DSLR has its limits :).

Remember these things next time you find yourself in a rut, stay positive and shoot what you love.