BTS: On Set, BVI
At times, it can be difficult to grasp how fortunate I am to be in a position to get paid to build my skillset while also getting opportunities along the way. Most of you know I have been working with photography as my main career for the past 9 years and with all I have done leading to this point, I view myself as skilled enough to command a set on my own, I mean I’ve done it more than a few times. It becomes even harder when I am on set with people who show signs of being less experienced than I am while I assist.
The reality is that in the world at large, opportunity doesn’t come to those who are deserving; it is often handed to those who are in a position to receive it. Life isn’t fair for the majority, and this can be hard to accept. We all want to believe that hard work will be rewarded and that fairytales are real, but the phrase is incomplete and we rarely hear the end of it. The complete phrase should be, "Hard work will be rewarded in due time." For some, that might mean achieving success quickly, like a rocket ship to the moon, while for others, it might resemble a slower journey, like a road trip. For most, the reality is that the reward will come a long way down the road, many years from the starting point and that reality is not as glamorous.
As creatives, especially as we climb the career ladder, we have to realize that every step forward is part of our success story. We often envision ourselves at the pinnacle of our fields without waiting to see the rest of the story, the parts where we experience the true journey to the destination. Crafting your voice as an artist takes time, hours, and hours spent in the field, to understand how and why your perspective is valuable. That time can either be spent in frustration or we can keep taking steps forward while we build our identity.
As I was reminded by a peer on a recent shoot, my current position allows me the hours spent in the field to really hone in on my true skill. When I find it, the portfolio and resume I have built will be able to stand strong because the foundation has been laid on solid ground. What we aren’t told often enough is that time can solidify longevity if you allow it.
I could speak about the old saying in Black households but we all are familiar with it, besides, that isn’t what this post is about. This post is about patience and funny enough, being on set in the Caribbean on a beautiful property and traveling by boat everywhere was exactly what I needed to allow that message to settle in.
Model | Mélodie Vaxelaire
Photographer | Sophie Newbold
2nd Photographer | Me
Makeup & Hair | Amie Decker
