As I’ve been updating this site, I know when I sit down on Sunday night and create the post for the following day and plan for the week ahead, I’m going to be more successful. Why? For me, creativity happens on Sunday night. This is something I’ve struggled with since 1998. I say struggle because Sunday night isn’t usually the most convenient time to create or work on something. What’s important is I realized every Sunday evening, my creativity is at its peak. I don’t understand why, but I’m glad I was able to quickly recognize what was happening and use it for something positive. Maybe after having a relaxing weekend or being able to reflect back on the week I’m able to process how to move forward with a project. Or how to execute and pull the trigger on something like this website. Why bring this up, here and now? Creativity goes beyond just any particular hobby. While a hobby is great, I think it’s important for everyone to have some type of creative outlet. Something you enjoy that allows you to pull a concept from your mind and make it original, make it yours. For my wife, it’s family scrapbooks and gardening. My oldest son enjoys drawing. My youngest son creates inventions. And for my mother and mother in-law, it’s quilting. Of course, for me and many people reading this, its photography.
Have you ever met someone that seems to ooze with creativity? Someone who is so incredibly talented that they just can’t seem to shut it off? When I’m around someone like this, I know the first two ways I instinctively respond. First, be jealous or envious that they have an ability I don’t. Second, find a way to notice an imperfection with them or their work. Truthfully, it’s hard at times, but I have to remind myself that everyone has God given talents. Each of us matters. And honestly we should surround ourselves with those that ooze creativity. They can inspire, teach us (knowing or unknowingly), and make us better at our own craft. While I have a ton to learn about film photography, I look around for inspiration and knowledge. I hope that someone else’s creative process or work moves me forward. And as these precious gifts come to me, I can do the same for someone else.
I’m going to throw out this challenge for anyone reading this. Whether you want to respond with a comment or not is up to you, though I would really love to read what others think. What is your creative outlet? What does creativity mean to you? What does it do for you? How do you share your creativity? Please, share your thoughts.
Utah Film Photography 
Hi Shaun, I work as a graphic designer during the week and have done for the last 30 years. I’ve always had creative hobbies too including playing keyboards in bands, customising cars and of course photography which I’ve been interested in since before I started School. Even if you work in a creative industry like graphic design, I think it’s so important to do something creative for yourself rather then your clients. Starting up my two photography blogs has definitely helped me to focus on what I find stimulating and put my hobby into a format that I can share with others. My latest venture, Vueca – The Camera Market, has been sparked by my other photography related hobby of collecting vintage Canon Cameras. There will no doubt be another blog from me about vintage cameras on the way!
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Photography is a hobby for me so the majority of my time is spent on my day job and family. When I have extra time I devote that to photography. I have been reading “A Beautiful Anarchy” by David DuChemin. He talks about creativity and how it takes a lot of hard work and patience. It’s something that we continually need to work at and grow. I don’t have a set schedule where I devote time to photography and creativity but probably should, I can certainly see the advantages. I included a short clip from David’s book that I really like and am trying to implement.
“Creative people fill their brains, their idea factories , with as much raw material as they can. They have voracious appetites. They connect with other people. They read books. They watch films and take classes and go to new places and try new things. The more we increase our inputs, the more we increase possibilities. The more we cut ourselves off, insulated from new people, new ideas, new flavours and experiences, the more we limit our creative potential”.
duChemin, David (2014-05-20). A Beautiful Anarchy: When the Life Creative Becomes the Life Created
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