Collectively, we’ve done A LOT of fly-fishing event shoots. On average I’d say we cover 6 to 10 a year. Many of which are at the same venues. So, originality and stretching the boundaries of my creativeness can be challenging. I completely understand however, that most of these events are charities, and I’m there for their benefit, not to satisfy my own creative needs.
When I was asked to help shoot for a newly formed recovery groups inaugural event, it didn’t tickle my creative bone until I was told the details. The shoot was for women struggling with addiction and I wouldn’t be able to capture photos revealing any identities. This unexpectedly ended up being my favorite shoot of this year.
I went into this with the assumption it would be awkward. I certainly don’t like taking photos of anyone who doesn’t want their photo taken. And the creep factor could be heightened by the fact I was the only male in attendance and taking photos of everything but faces. But the participants were having such a good time, nobody really realized I was there. As these women shared their stories and began to connect with each other, the emotions were easy to capture without having to see it in their faces.
We now live in a world saturated by endless grip and grin’s and Instagram feeds with dozens of accounts that all end with media and have two outdoorsy type words before it. And although everyone wants to see trophy fish and exotic locations, I’m in love with the emotion and healing this sport provides. And to be invited and able to capture those moments for complete strangers, that’s a real gift.
Some photos from that day, along with a story of healing and recovery (“Reeling”) from its organizer, were published in the Fall 2019 edition of DUN Magazine. Here are some photos I enjoyed that didn’t make the cut.
