In My Backyard

relearning to photograph where I live

For the longest time, I’ve built this notion in my head that I need to travel out of Sacramento to make “better” photos. I suppose it’s the idea that I need to see new things to get excited about making new photos. But after some downtime as of late & when I don’t feel the urge to take a drive or long walk like I usually do, I’ve found that revisiting the same places/areas can be just as helpful.

I take a walk around the neighborhood or even just open our back door & I am reminded that opportunities for photos are all around me; I just need to re-examine them with fresh eyes from time to time.

Olive & Jib in the backyard

house by the tracks

fence in the alleyway

fire and rain

Cody in the backyard

a friend at McKinley Park

McKinley Park diptych

backyard: summer, fall, winter

These photos were all made within a 1 to 4 block radius from my house since May of 2022. Although I don’t necessarily label all of these photographs as “winners”, I do approach and reflect on them with honesty; they are helping me gain more insight & ideas for the kind of work I want to make in the future. It’s important to take photos for the sake of taking them. Observation is an endless realm of growth & refinement. Sometimes, just the simple act of pressing down on the shutter can help get the mind rolling with the formulation of new ideas.

I’m re-learning that some photos are better than none.

If you are reading this & feel like you are stagnant with your creative energy.. You’re not alone. Try to retrace your steps. Notice the slight changes in your area. Enjoy the moment for what it is. Slow down. Dig deeper. And most importantly, make the time.

“One should not only photograph things for what they are but for what else they are.” –Minor White