We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Falyn DeForest a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Falyn, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
I think avoiding burn out is near impossible. This day and age everyone is go, go, go, all the time and we feel like we always have to say yes to everything (especially as creatives who love what they do). But something I do to help combat an overwhelmingly HUGE crash and burn(out) is scheduling time for doing things I love aside from my career. Everyone needs to have days where they can give themselves permission to relax. Recharge and spend time with people you love.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have been a professional photographer for about 5 years now. I’ve always love photography since I was younger, but only as a hobby. I love photographing weddings and families, but really will shoot anytime I get the opportunity. The thing I love most about photographing special moments in people’s lives is the feeling of getting to be a part of documenting and witnessing the connection between people. The idea of creating a snapshot in the history of a persons life, that they will have forever, is so special.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first most important part of my journey was having the courage to start pursuing my passion in the first place. Start before you’re ready, because in the grand scheme of things no one is READY. Most people let fear be the main driver in their life. Have the courage to just start somewhere, whether is big or small. Something is better than nothing. As a photographer I think having the courage, artistic ability, and consistency to stay dedicated are the 3 top qualities it takes to do what I do. Consistency will take you farther than anything else in the world.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I love collaborating with other artists, whether that be another photographer, florist, hair and/or make up artist, or anyone with a vision for creating something beautiful. Also, wedding planners who need good photographer recommendations for brides, I’d love to connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: fadephotographs.com
- Instagram: @fade.photographs & @fade.film.photographs
- Facebook: Fade Photographs by Falyn DeForest
Image Credits
Fade Photographs, LLC.
