It’s been snowy and cold since we got back from our Christmas with my sister in Washington DC. We managed to thread the needle between the ice storm and getting home safely before the weather really got cold.

Since then, we’ve been enduring what’s the weather watchers called a “bomb cyclone” here in Michigan with snow squalls and temperatures in the teens.

Despite the weather we got out to combat the cabin fever and to run a few errands. It’s right after Christmas, so naturally we needed to do some returns and pick up a few neglected staples. 

Our first stop was the FedEx store to drop off a return, and as we were driving into the parking lot we passed one of the workers enduring the cold for a smoke break.

“That’s a fantastic shot,” I remarked, noticing the brown of his coat against the brown of the wall. Without a lot of thought, we passed him by and I pulled into a parking spot for Jocelyn to jump out; but my head was still with that guy on the smoke break.

Deep in my head, a few creative neurons rubbed together to make a spark and said, “You have your camera, dummy. Go get the shot.”

Giving little thought to what I was going to say, I grabbed my camera and ran around the corner of the building. Fortunately, the guy was still there.

I introduced myself, gave him my card, and told him what a striking image I saw as I drove by him. I asked if it would be OK if I got a photo, because I didn’t want to walk away with the regret of not making the ask.

He kindly agreed with a little smile.

I stepped back, framed it in and got the shot that I saw in my head. 

His name is Edmund, and he gratefully posed for a headshot as well. I sadly didn’t have a lot of time to hear his story; but I hope he’ll take me up on my offer to send him the images.

In that simple exchange, I was able to push past my busyness and fear of rejection to (hopefully) make a connection with someone I had never met. And I made him smile.

Something felt very right about the whole exchange.

It resonated with a recent post I read from Dr. Grant Scott, a photo educator I’ve been following for years. He asserted, “Portraits are the foundation of all photographic practice.”

Bold statement – but it made sense. There’s an anxiety to overcome as you approach a stranger and ask to take their picture. It’s frankly nothing like a landscape or a product shoot. The subject stays put and most if not all of the variables can be controlled. Engaging with another human being requires something beyond mere technical prowess.

Even if it’s an intentional portrait sitting, there’s a certain vulnerability required of both photographer and subject to make it a truly great image.

It’s something I’ve wrestled with – often.

I’m at the point where I can “get the shot”. I have the technical skills. But the real satisfaction for me has shifted.

The new adventure is when I feel the technical aspects of shutter speed, lighting and aperture fade into the background and trust my instinct instead of the number on my lens.

That’s when I have the headspace to make a real connection with the subject and not just take their picture, but better understand and capture the person they are…

…and make a connection.

I am feeling in my bones that human connection is the thing our busted up hearts long for.

So my New Year’s resolution is this:

Do what I did today. More.

Risk a little more.

Connect a little more.

Reach out in kindness. More.

And maybe I’ll learn as much about myself as the people I meet.

Let the adventure commence…