Creativity is in all of us, it might just be having a little sleep
As a creative photographer working between Sydney and Melbourne, I hear it constantly: “you are so creative, I’m not that way at all.” I still look back in disbelief. I remember being somewhat imaginative up to the age of 8, regularly inventing characters and writing songs and poetry. Using our imagination to play exists in all children.
Fail fast, often and keep going
Think back to your childhood and you will remember how play was infused into all aspects of your day. That’s creativity at work. For the majority of us it was then steadily and systemically removed during the rote learning school years of the 80’s, with the final ‘death to our inner artist’ nails being hammered in during my corporate career.
Being creative means learning from mistakes and enjoying that process. During my artistic photoshoots across Melbourne and Sydney, I’ve discovered that working with a team gives all of us permission and freedom to play – to plan, experiment, make mistakes, adjust, try again and keep practicing (playing).
The Creative Process Matters
I am not a naturally ‘gifted’ creative. I have to work hard at it. When you are learning you are regularly uncomfortable, but you are also achieving little wins as you go. My inspiration comes from other photographers, artists and cinema – the composition, light and shadows and how that helps support the story and its mood. There is something very satisfying and liberating about seeing something you and the team created – in camera and in real life.
The Path to a More Creative Life
We regularly hear about the importance of building new neural pathways in the brain for our physical and emotional health. Doing new things, in other words being creative, is how you awaken and build those pathways. As a creative photographer in Melbourne, I’ve noticed most are well worn because we usually do the same thing each day and think 90% the same thoughts as the day before. Some of mine are as deep as war trenches.
How you can start being more creative right now
Sue Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, has contributed to the success of many ‘Creatives.’ She says that you can even start by taking something as banal as a tissue box and sitting it down in front of you, starting a timer for say 3 minutes and during that time imagining all the different ways you could use that tissue box.
Finding Creativity in Nature
Switching that phone off and regularly spending time in nature is the easiest way to become centred and creative. I spent 5 days on a silent retreat located on the edge of a forest, and on the final day I was writing poetry for the first time in decades. When you’re drowning in nature it’s that easy.
