Synchronicity and Inspiration: South Florida Music Photographer

Six years go I was a full-time student commuting one hour each way several times a week, and a full-time lead sales agent/manager at a multi-million dollar company. By necessity, my social life was non-existent. I was either working or sleeping. Or driving.

Any spare block of time no longer than 20 minutes, but greater than 5, I would use for a "power-nap." I became hyper-aware of time, with an uncanny ability to guess what time it was before I even opened my eyes.

I knew it was not healthy when I felt that just by waking up, I was late.

What balanced out all of this hard work? We all make sacrifices for what we love, and I'd realized that passion while studying photography. That, and knowing that my frenzied pace of life couldn't last forever.

When I look back on it, it's easy for me to recognize that my love of photography was my first guru. It taught me how to SEE. To recognize the colors, shapes, and patterns in front of me were simply a mirror of what I felt. Thus allowing me to appreciate the consistency in change, and the skill to objectively observe the effect of light, or lack there-of, moment to moment.

Wow, this blog just got philosophical, fast. Bottom line: despite running toward what I liked, I was ultimately doing myself a disservice if I wasn't able to slow down and relax once and a while.

Finding my passion helped me to learn to stop and smell the roses. And to take pretty photos of them, too. Image taken in Provincetown, MA.

Six years ago when I had hardly the energy or time to spare, I found a way to attend Elliott Landy's photography exhibition at a Ft Lauderdale gallery.

Landy was the official Woodstock Music Festival photographer. You might not know him by name, as I hadn't prior to that day, but if you are remotely a fan of 60's era music, I bet you have seen some of his iconic concert and documentary photography. Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Richie Havens, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, etc. etc. etc. 

Last night, I met him in person at the Norton Museum while on assignment for the Broward Palm Beach New Times. (See pics from the event.)

I listened to him describe what Woodstock meant to him. But what really effected me, was when he mentioned his theory of synchronicity. He described that when you are doing something you truly love, without trying, coincidences will happen as a reminder you're on the right track.

I got goosebumps.

Tomorrow night, I have a an exhibition at Artists Haven Gallery in Ft Lauderdale. The same gallery that six years prior, I found a moment to just let go and relax, and discovered the iconic photography of Elliott Landy.

Actual Woodstock tickets. Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

Elliott Landy describes which photograph he felt was the most iconic. See why I was so inspired: preview/buy his book HERE!  Originally photographed for Broward Palm Beach New Times.

I hope this little backstory gives you a little inspiration to go to the show's opening tomorrow night. It will be up until August 31st, 2012. My piece is represented in the Music/Sports/Journalism/Documentary category.



"Work hard. Love harder."- Love Handles