Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kamila Kourbanova. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kamila, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Keeping creativity alive as a photographer is essential for maintaining originality and innovation in your work. Creativity does not exist in a linear frame, rather, it ebbs and flows just like the seasons. Part of keeping it alive is to make sure to ‘water’ it. Here are some ways I foster creativity:
1. Experimentation: New techniques, styles, or equipment can be scary or intimidating but one of my ultimate mantras is ‘Everybody starts somewhere’. Experimenting with different lighting setups, compositions, and editing processes helps me discover unique perspectives. I am genuinely excited when a new technique works or when new equipment adds a fresh look! This excitement adds fuel to the creative engine.
2. Exploration: I constantly seek out new locations, whether it’s local spots (in restaurants or coffeeshops) or destinations that take some decent mileage to get to. I find inspiration in different landscapes, cultures, and environments.
3. Personal Projects: I dedicate time to personal projects that allow me to explore topics or themes that interest me outside of client work. These projects give me the freedom to express myself creatively without constraints, sparking new ideas and keeping my passion alive. My latest project is taking apart a vintage film camera just to see how it works!
4. Continuous Learning: I stay curious and open-minded, always seeking to learn and grow as a photographer. Whether it’s attending workshops, watching tutorials, or studying the work of other photographers, I believe there’s always something new to discover and incorporate into my practice. I am always learning.
5. Collaboration: Collaborating with other creatives, such as models, makeup artists, and fellow photographers, can bring fresh perspectives. Working together fosters a dynamic exchange of creativity and pushes me to think outside of my norm.
6. Taking Breaks: Sometimes, stepping away from photography for a bit can be just as important as actively shooting. Taking breaks allows me to recharge, gain new perspectives, and come back to my work with renewed energy and creativity. Taking a break can look different for everyone. For me I love to travel and shake up my daily routine.
Overall, keeping creativity alive as a photographer requires a balance of experimentation, exploration, self-educating, collaboration, and self-care. By embracing these practices, I can continually evolve as an artist and deliver fresh, inspired work to my clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As just about anyone else these days, I come from an immigrant family. For me, this meant saying ‘no’ to almost all interest in arts while in wrapping myself deep into a cocoon of biology textbooks and the warm security of a high GPA. Amongst the intense STEM classes, I was able to sneak in a Digital Photography course and make my way into the school’s Yearbook team. Following graduation, my borrowed DSLR and thrifted analog camera were put to the side… only seeing daylight every couple of months when I needed a break from the unyielding propeller of adulthood. Throughout years of biology labs, GRE studies, interning in the dungeons of academic institutes, and living abroad in England for my Masters studies, photography always seemed to sneak back into my life. The vintage pink polaroid, that sits on my bookshelf as I now write this, stands as a tribute to the grip of those unshakable creative roots.
Photography is a common language despite culture, location, or spoken language. Regardless of the direction I was pulled in, from my home in the Pacific Northwest to the chilly cobblestones of England, I always found anchor in the photography community. It was in the DC-Maryland community where I finally put down my roots, both in a general and a creative sense. My peers in this community have helped me foster my love for my art and as a result, I have never seen more growth in my art and in my skillset. Just three years ago I made the move from amateur to pro and I couldn’t have imagined how rewarding the experience would be. As a creator, I am trusted by individuals, couples & families to capture a moment in time that cannot be recreated. I am enveloped into their world for a the short time- there are few crafts that allow you to see the world through another’s point of view and allow you the ability to observe without interference.
Photography is as chilling experience that warms you from the inside out. It’s forever changing and yet always remains the same, a homebase to return to.
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?
1. **Everybody starts somewhere** Often times we start something new and we have high expectations for the results the first time around- that’s not fair to yourself. Your first set of results are going to be rough but remember you have to start somewhere. It may not be pretty but it is such an important part of the learning process. Don’t discourage yourself if the results are not what you expect, instead push yourself to continue on your journey. You’ll only get better.
2. **Imperfection is art** So many times I’ve compared my art to that of other artists. While learning from others can be helpful, what’s NOT helpful is putting yourself down and highlighting your weaknesses. Instead, accept the imperfections in your art. Overtime these imperfections will either be weeded out as you excel in your skills or they will become a very much loved part of your style.
3. **Nourish yourself first and then you can nourish your art** As an artist I choose to create part-time. I do this because I want my art to stay a passion and not something that solely drives my income… because then it becomes a job. I acknowledged that these boundaries were important to me early on so I established these barriers and I follow them closely to this day. Recognize when you need to put yourself first, because if you are burned out the passion in your creating will burn out as well. Boundaries help keep yourself on track so you can show up refreshed and recharged at every session, excited to have an opportunity to create!
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
While it’s definitely important to recognize your weaknesses, it’s easy to get stuck in a whirlpool of dumping a lot of time and effort into something that isn’t going to give you the payback you want. For example, I’ve quietly nurtured an interest in graphic design and a few years ago I stepped into a season where I tried to marry both photography and graphic design in one image. This kind of looked like drawing onto a photo using digital means like Procreate®. Although it gave my images more depth and made them a little more interesting, I quickly realized I didn’t have the drawing skills to accomplish the types of designs I wanted. After spending hours studying drawing techniques, I had to come back to my center and ask myself if this was really something worth doing. All of that is to say, we only have 24 hours in a day. Use that time to work on the weaknesses within your wheelhouse. Don’t try to be good at everything, because if you’re good at everything- you’re not amazing in anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: wespeakfireworks.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/wespeakfireworks
- Facebook: facebook.com/wespeakfireworksphoto
Image Credits
Personal photo by Aly Johnson. Other photos by Kamila Kourbanova
