Ramblings

I don’t write as much as I used to. I really don’t know why. In one way I want my images to live their own life and I don’t want my words to distract too much. On the other hand I love writing. About stuff.

Nothing.

And everything.

My images reflect who I am and the same thing goes for my words.

So I’ve decided I’m going to do more of it. I actually decided at the beginning of the year and where are we now? Late March. Man, so much for that promise.

We’re in the middle of autumn here in Brisbane and that time of year is different from the falls of my childhood in Sweden, that much is clear. Yesterday it was around 28C (that’s low 80’s for you Americanos) and the days are a lot less humid than during the summer.

I’ve been shooting locally all of March which is a nice change of pace. I travel a lot and less than a third of my weddings are local, the rest interstate and international. I love leaving town to shoot, it fires me up and keeps me on my toes. But the opposite can also be said in favour of staying home. I relax more and can take a step back and look at things in perspective.

I’m happy you like Mikey and Fel’s wedding. To me it captures what I want with all my weddings; no matter if it’s a grand affair or a backyard wedding, I want to focus of the story of the day and the bond between two people, their friends and families. It sounds easy enough to do, but it’s a lot more difficult than it looks. To do what I’m (hopefully) good at, I need my couples to let me in, give me access, otherwise my coverage of their wedding day will only be a manicured version of what really went on and that’s not what I do.

Mikey and Felicity are close friends of mine, so that of course made things a little easier, but at the same time more difficult. It’s harder to be a shadow and observe when you know everyone there.

Next week I’m posting a wedding I shot in the Bahamas last month and on the surface it looks completely different than Mikey and Felicity’s, but the truth is they’re very similar. David and Waverly let me and Jacqui into their group of friends, included us in a way I don’t get to experience too often. Our five days on Harbour Island were fantastic because of that, because of them, and I’m very proud of this wedding too. It’s not Mikey and Felicity, it’s David and Waverly and I hope that comes through in their photos.

Writing this, I realise I want to do this more.

Ramble a bit.

Share what’s going on under the surface.

Let you in.

Because if you know me, I’ll do a better job if I ever get to shoot you, it’s a matter of give and take.

I also thought I’d take the opportunity to share something that inspires me, may it be a song, a video or something else. This week it’s a short movie by Ben Briand, a young Australian film maker. Make sure you click HD and watch it full-screen. It’s called APRICOT. I think it’s fantastic.

Until next time.

/J

APRICOT — A Short Film by Ben Briand from Moonwalk Films on Vimeo.

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COMMENTS Expand -
  1. Ditt skrivande är utomordentligt, så också dina bilder.
    Fortsätt göra det du älskar och lämna pressen om att allt ska vara perfekt :)
    Vi som läser din blogg tycker att dina bilder, din text och allt med ditt öga för konst är fantastiskt och underbart att se på och läsa. Du är djup precis som en konstnär ska vara.
    Hoppas att du läser detta för jag tror att det är viktigt för dig att höra :))
    hälsningar från ditt hemland :D

  2. I totally get it, by opening up and letting the people you work with in can do nothing but produce extrordinary results. They will automatically reciprocate this right back… it costs nothing right? It is a beautiful exchange… I post one of my best friends wedding tomorrow and I felt it every minute of the day and every time I look at the images.. it taught me a lot. Love to hear your voice

  3. Your writing is really great. You have a great gift for projecting your voice through the words you type. Looking forward to seeing more.

  4. i like you, jonas peterson. i like your ramblings. i like your pictures. i like hanging with you and jac. just wanted to tell you this. :)

  5. Jonas,
    loved the movie you attached…
    love the two slide shows thus far of David and Wave’s wedding…
    can’t wait to see what you post next week
    the slide shows really capture the joy and happiness of the week,
    and make me smile every time i watch them
    none of us can get Harbour Island off our minds and hopefully we can return again soon
    give Jacqui my love as well, had such a good time getting to know her and sharing our thoughts

    all the best,
    katherine

  6. Heja Jonas! Vad kul att få läsa lite mer om hur du tänker och känner. Tack för en otroligt varm och inspirerande blogg. Hälsningar från Sverige, som just gick över till sommartid idag!

  7. its really nice to read your words jonas cause its nice to know a little more about you! i must say… im crazy about apricot… such a beautiful story and gorgeous dreamy light! its been a favourite of mine for sometime. cant wait to see what else inspires you!

  8. like the personal notes. i now think you might be human. i wasn’t sure before, as your photos are um, yeah original, unlike anyone else… I know of this director, I think he’s repped by “the institute” here in LA for commercials. he’s gooooood.

  9. Jonas,

    well said man! well said… letting the artist in is soooo true!

    PS I seen that short film ages ago, and today its still one of my favourites.

    keep rambling sir.

    love it.

    dig it.

    hope to meet sometimes soon.

    Dan.

  10. I like your writings. I’m glad you are one that does write, you have things to say and I can tell by your words you mean and live what you say, you’re not just shining things up. :)

  11. I like your rambles Jonas. I hope you ramble a lot more. I really like where you talk about clients letting you in. so true.

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