Lewis Baker Photography

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Finding the time to shoot


When you are working a full time job Monday to Friday, or shift work... Finding the time can be difficult.

Sure you can use the free time between shifts or the weekends to shoot... But what if you have a family and because you work long hours or nights you feel guilty about spending time shooting, instead of being with the kids etc?... Believe me I know this feeling all to well!

Until recently my shift pattern was 3 days, 3 nights and 3 off... Now this sucked due to changing my body clock all of the time but it had its little perks... One was any weekend I had off I was with the family because I'd only get one full weekend off per month... But when my 'off' days were during the week, my son would be at school so I could get out and shoot.

Now I work Mon-Fri doing 12hr days but its an hour each way there and back... so in reality its a 14hr day... As it is, it appears there is little to no time to shoot.... Or is that really the case? Why not shoot when you get home late from work.... "But its dark out there..." Yup it may well be dark, cold, wet... How passionate are you to create work? 

Our limitations on what we can do and when are all self made limitations...

-Why not start a night time project? One where the time of day has no real implication on the body of work you are creating.


-If you are on a day out with the family and kids... Why not take you're camera with you and make it a mini photographic expedition... I'm an advocate of always having a camera with you... If you do have a family...


-Start a documentary series about yours? I've my 'Home' project which is a great reason to have a camera with me where ever we may go.


Shoot from inside your car? Or just shoot things that interest you, catch your eye like shadows perhaps... When you're out walking the dog..


The only limitation on time to shoot is yourself.... There are 24 hours every day... Plenty of time to get out and make some art! 

I recently saw a video of Arnold Schwarzenegger telling a story of his journey to become who is today and the level of dedication and time management to do so... Pretty F*****G inspiring!

Even if you only have 10 minutes of your day spare.... That could be enough time for you to create something.


Cheers!