INSPIRATION VS IMITATION

This seems to be a very common topic amongst the careers of the arts. I recently read an aritcle on it and here is my take on it.
I have seen many photographers hard work get copied by other photographers too often.
There is a fine line, a fine line that many people dont see.

I teach my children to be their best, their own, not an imitation of someone elses character.

Inspiration vs Imitation

There is a difference!

I have inspiration all around me, there are several photographers that I can only dream about being as good as, that when i look at there work I feel completely breathless. But their work, is THEIR work, their ideas, their play and take on the emotion that they are capturing, and it would not be breathtaking if it were not theirs.
There are 2 local photographers who amaze me with their work, I love peeking at their sites and new work, BUT what you will never see is my photos imitating theirs. Why you ask? Why? Why if I feel their photos are so amazingly breathtaking and just perfect would I not want to take a copy of that photo and put it in my pocket to create the exact same shot? Because it was not my feeling, my creativity, my idea. Sure, they will inspire me to take a new angle on a shot, to step out of the box and recreate something to be amazing in a new way, but not copy their work. I want to be know as Jolene, as Sweetest Moments Photography, not a copy of someone else.

The photography market is competitive, you have to have something that makes you different, that makes you... well You. If you use inspiration to get you your own style and feel, you will succeed. If you imitate someone elses work, you will never be able to find the true you, your true style. And what will set you aside from all the rest?

I had a recent client send me about 10 photos that she "imagined" from her engagement session. I let her know that they would serve as ideas and inspiration and would give me the feel that she wanted in her images, and it did. I took the ideas and added my own twist and style, and the images from the session are breathtaking. Yes I say that about my own photos, because they were, because you will not find another local photographer with images the same as these, yet anyway. But that is what makes them amazing, that they are different, that you will not see the same photos with the next couple or with the next photographer. Inspiration not imitation.

I have worked and been dedicated to my work, to my style, to my feel and love for what I see and do for 4 years now. My skills and talent have taken a long challenging road to get to where they are. I failed many times, First starting out I tried to "copy" others work without even realizing i was doing it, I learned from many mistakes, from trial and error, From asking questions to other photographers whom Ive looked up to, it has been a journey, But now, 4 years later I can actually say that I am me, my work is mine. From hard work, dedication and Inspiration. And I am so proud to say that. 4 years of trying and learning and trying some more, my business is finally succeeding, I feel completely confident in my work, and my style.

Work hard to be you, to be your own individual, unique photographer, to be the one that ppl look at for inspiration.

This goes beyond a photograph as well.
The following is a blurb from a fellow photographers blog, Angela Crutcher.

"Taking someone’s logo and making a few minor adjustments is not inspiration it’s stealing…especially if you are local to that person.

Taking someone’s words and making some minor variations is not inspiration it’s plagiarism and a copyright violation.

Copying someone’s pricing and collections is not inspiration it’s bad business practices. If you can’t price yourself right for you, you will never succeed.

If you can’t come up with your own designs, with your own identity and brand, then work with someone to help you do it. Not everyone is creative in that way. But taking someone’s own ideas is foolish. You might think no one will notice but it will permeate everything you do.

I will do what I can to protect my brand but I realize from a legal standpoint there are limitations. That being said, clients — the ones many of us want — can tell the difference between a real Gucci and a fake." (Angela Crutcher Photography)

Maybe this is a ramble on, but I feel it is so important, and I hope that it may be an eye opener for some people.
Photography is an art, there is no wrong way to paint this picture, make it your own, and be proud of your own!