Becki Dickinson :: The Photographer Blog

I ran across these videos about Dave LaBelle, a photojournalist I had never heard of before. His work certainly speaks to me, great photos of everyday people in everyday moments while connecting the heart to the eye.

Chapter 5: Dave LaBelle | On Storytelling from Francis Gardler on Vimeo.

Dave LaBelle on Picture Stories: I’m not always sure what I’m looking for. Put yourself in the place of the person. Project and see yourself in somebody elses skin.

Here’s the LINK to the series of all the videos. I’ve bookmarked it for myself and have watched them over and over.

I strive to go out there each and every day to take photos that make a difference. Some times I accomplish this goal and sometimes I fall short. But I’m always striving.

In looking back over some of my favorite images, I realized quite often they are inspired by events in my past, by people I loved and photographs I cherish. It is true, you can’t take the photographer out of the photo.

I love this photo of Jodie and her maid of honor. I had been in the dressing room taking getting ready shots and stepped out of the room for a moment. As I looked back I this through the screen door. It gave the image a soft, private moment feel and it immediately reminded me of a photo of my Great Grandmother. It’s a photo her stepping out of her house through the screen door. I’ve always loved the look on her face, an unposed moment totally unaware the camera was on her. I haven’t seen this photo in years and I’m not even sure if my memory of it is correct, but I do know my emotional reaction to it is all that matters.

What photographs from your past impact you after all these years? Photographs I cherish are ones where the true essence of the person shined through. An unposed moment caught on film. These are the moments I look to capture for my couples on their wedding day or my families during portrait sessions.