The Breathe of Creativity

There is a yogic style of breathing that involves "watching the breath". It's where you focus your mind on the rise and fall of the belly, breathing in deep, pausing slightly and then breathing out all the way. My point is, creative thought is not always found in the deep breaths, in or out, but rather the pauses.

Think about it. When I take a deep breathe, do I panic during the pause? Do I need oxygen right away? No, in fact I could hold my breathe for more than a "slight pause", possibly 30 seconds or more, before it would begin to get REALLY uncomfortable. If this is the case in breathing, then the same goes for my rhythm of creativity.

My style of creativity seem to work best with pauses. However, initially it sometimes seems best to keep the "creative momentum" up when I feel as if I'm on a roll. It's as if I'm fearing if I stop, so will the creativity. But as in breathing, this is not the case. By pausing, I give my mind a chance to "see" my surroundings, feel the energy, and prepare myself for even greater creativity.

I try and remind myself that this is just like moving forward. It may not seem to get me to my destination immediately, but it does keeping me moving in a direction that will eventually get me there. Taming my impatience, is part of the key to empowering my creativity to it's fullest.

beloved: a decade celebration_using "still-image thinking"

I'm creating cinematic albums through the use of "still-image thinking"' as if the pictures are in a live video rather than elements shot separately. In this form, I believe the shoot takes on a greater "fine art" quality with undertones of something deeper being involved. As seems to be most things in an artists life, this a the beginning of a progression of thought--an evolution--that you'll see thread it's way through our work.

p.s. if you would like to see a larger version, click on the vimeo link on the bottom right of the slideshow. enjoy. :)

10 year anniversary... from TJ Getz on Vimeo.

wood in wonderland

Our latest family shoot is inspired from alice in wonderland & Betsey Johnson fashion. Now remember, all our sessions are inspired from somewhere, and inspiration is different from copying the exact look. We love bringing "our take" to each shoot, instead of strictly mimicking, which is something we can guarantee we'd do for you when you book your own session with us. :)

We're open all year long, and most days of the week. If you'd like your own "getzperience", please give us call and start your journey into wonderland today!

studio: 864-354-2548h
email: shootme@getzcreative.com

much love,
-TJ

brushing past the edge of my soul.... (part2)

Within my soul lies passions waiting to be released. What you see of me today, is not who I want to be tomorrow, it is merely where I am on my journey. Even in my art, i am looking at the vision of a different getzcreative; a photography studio as yet unrealized, but brimming with greater potential. I have one life, and choosing what to focus on first, can be as much an important question, as the realization that I need to live in the moment, letting go of my expectations that keep me from moving forward.

I live in the struggle of wishing I was already at my destination, without taking time to be thankful for where I am. How many times have I been right where I needed to be, even in the pain, panicking, trying to find a way out, instead of stepping outside myself and working inside the pain, so that I could move through it and onto a better place—experiences like this can build my creativity if I don't let myself die in the struggle.

....and even saying this, I sometimes want to die in the struggle... We are all different, yet we seem all the same in that we each have a choice in how we look at life's journey and deal with our particular pain set.

I cannot live by your expectations of me; and who you think I should be. I already die by my own expectations and add only more pain when i put your expectations on top of my own.

It is true, that dreams and passion can grow in suffering, however, they can also be smothered when the expectations of others (culture, friends, the liar within us..) are allowed to control the course we take.

Have a beautiful day my friends. I hope you see a better me tomorrow. My hope is to look back, enjoying what i can, and seeing a photography studio producing more creative work, passion ever flowing..... moving forward.

wishing you well,
-TJ

brushing past the edge of my soul... (part1)

Do you ever listen to a musician, read an author, or immerse yourself in an artist, and find yourself awakening? I do.

There is this constant push/pull in my life where I find myself dying in life's pressures and disappointments, and then reawakening to some string of hope deep inside that resonates a lifeline stronger than the depression that threatens to overtake me. I often want to turn this side of me off; seeing very little value in it, however to rip the artist soul in two would most likely rip away the very passion that feeds my creative nature.

There is a playfulness in life that i see in the young. I am not old, but I am not as naive as I was 12 years ago either. I miss some of that idealism which shares joy with the world even when there's so much sadness floating everywhere.

It appears we all have a role to play in this life. I hope mine is to bring joy and hope through my creative vision. As an artist, I often feel I'm only as good as my last project, and doubt threatens to overwhelm…. and yet there's something deep within that still finds the kid-like wonder of life that so many of us long for.

So to you and myself, I say: Stay confident today. We cannot see around life's corner, and yet whatever it is, beauty and love will still exist—and that's a thought worth tucking deep inside and dwelling on.

much love,
-TJ