Creative courage manifests itself in many ways …some less evident than others but no less important. Last week I spoke to Dave Brosha’s courage stemming from early childhood challenges that he overcame to move on as a world class photographer. Today I want to draw your attention to Erin Falkenham.
Erin is not a full time photographer and will tell you that very openly. Erin, however in my eyes is nothing short of an amazing human being and to earn that label of amazing means that someone has to leave me inspired, grateful to know them and wanting to know them even more. Erin is all of that.
Erin, in my opinion, is a dilemma to some ….she works in the Biotech Industry as a research technologist but yet can break away from the highly structured technical environment and create images not bound by borders or equations. Photography has been a part of Erin’s life for the past 12 years but she only she has only found her own “lane” over the past 5 years or so.
So what is creative courage in her eyes? Erin talks about the difficulty in putting herself “out there” and wrestles with a body of work that ranges in subject matter from capturing newborn life to documenting life as it ends. Erin can be defined by the statement that creative courage challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone and truly make an impact. Erin makes such an impact. Her soft voice is strong and unwavering. Her confidence is contagious and after spending time with her you have no choice but to follow her lead and be courageous as you create.
She is also as modest as modest can be…you’ll never know that her work has found the cover of magazines…I know it’s important to her on a personal level but she would never boast her success to a group or individual. As it goes….her non-full time photographer status is merely subject to interpretation. Her courage to create has been developed from her undying passion for life and all things in it. With both feet planted firmly on the ground she has found her creative courage and leads thru example.
She defines creative courage to me because she apologizes for nothing and creates despite all the other influences in her life...career, mother to great kids, wife, partner, and generally master of all trades required to take full advantage of what life has to offer. She has developed outwardly anyhow, the ability to create without excuses of time restrictions or blame on other influences in her life…I admire that.
Please follow her here : https://www.facebook.com/TwigHillPhoto
or here: https://www.instagram.com/twighillphoto/
But remember….she is not a full time photographer……….but she damn well should be!
Next week …Kyle McDougall, Ontario film maker and photographer.