A thought:

Perhaps we should prioritize our artwork over our own personal “happiness”.

As a photographer you’re also an artist. Or to be more specific:

If you make photographs for artistic purposes, you’re an artist who uses a camera as your paintbrush.

Not all the photos we shoot have an artistic purpose (I often photograph my receipts and parking spots). But ultimately, the value of photography for me is art-creation.

Why “happiness” is overrated

Too much focus on our personal happiness is often a trap. We strive to optimize our lives to become “happier”, instead of just focusing on creating more of our own artwork.

In fact, when I’m making photo-art, I am the happiest! “Happiest” in the sense that I’m focused, calm, elated, and am overflowing with creative energy, power and gratitude.

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Food or art?

Consider, almost all of us eat everyday (most of us have 2-3 meals a day). Which makes me wonder:

If we prioritize eating everyday, why don’t we prioritize making artwork everyday?

Nietzsche once said that there are only two things we need as visual artists: our bread (panem) and the ability to create our artwork.

Let us take this a step further:

Let us prioritize our artwork more than even our food!

All artwork is good artwork

If you create things you consider artwork, it is art.

And if you like looking at your own artwork, it is good artwork.

Make something everyday

Simple idea:

Everyday make something new.

Make a new photo, make a new blog post, write a new poem, make a new song or beat. Make a new dance.

To me, anything done or created with intention is artwork. In a sense, to be “happier”, prioritize your artwork above everything!

Artwork is your food. Feed yourself creatively, and never stop hunting for new experiences, photographs, and sources of life!

ERIC