This is why I left Facebook and Instagram a while ago. I know we live in a virtual world, but if you’re really precious with your art and your humanity, social media ain’t it. The more you engage with people in the real world, the more you realize how social media is ripping your soul out of your body. And as artists, we are fortunate in that the work that we do belongs to other people. Once we finish a play, a film, photographs, a painting, an album, whatever your art form is, it’s really all about sharing. Bringing people together. Creating dialogue. Contributing. Being human. Great video as always.

that print meant everything to him

There are photographers who do it for numbers, and then there are photographers who do it even if no one ever sees their photos.

I take photographs for local dog owners. One day I found out that an elderly couple who we often met on walks had one of their two dogs pass away.

Through tears he told me how grateful he was that I'd taken his favourite photo of 'Doc' ever and it made him smile every day as his phone wallpaper to see his beloved dog flying through the air before the health issues and had helped him through the sadness.

I took a mental note of which photograph it was, went home, spent extra time refining my post processing on it and got him a mounted print of it from my favourite photo lab.

I took it to their house and he and his wife were in pieces and overjoyed with the print. Seeing you hand that gentleman his print reminded me of just how important it is.

Whatever skill or creative spark we have, we can use that privilege to bring a little bit of brightness to someone else. Thank you for reminding me.

Cam, I wish I had a quarter of the talent you do.  That said, when I take pictures of someone's engagement or office party or whatever, I supply them with a gallery and print out one or two of my favorites to give to them.  I look at the pics and say, "meh...they're okay."  When I hand them the prints you would think I just gave them the world.  Their reaction makes my day/week/month.  Great video.  The picture you gave to that man is also great.  His reaction?  PRICELESS.

This is the really beauty of the art. Photography is a gift. One that can make people feel something. Whether it’s reliving a moment or experiencing something, or conveying your own ideas and feelings and allowing people to connect to it. Validation has to come from your own intentions and not what the internet has to say about it. If socials media imploded tomorrow I’d still take photos. Because this is my voice and my expression. I love it

Yep. Ditched Instagram over six months ago and don't miss it one bit.

Getting into printing will bring more satisfaction to most photographers if they give it a chance.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciated viewing this today. I lost my way with stills, got depressed and stop shooting for the most part. Thank you.

Photography isn’t dead, it’s oversaturated and under appreciated.
Lots of “photographers” (people that take shitty photos with a good camera) that spam social media and customers that want results and don’t wanna pay for it.
Saw this coming years ago so I just started shooting for myself

I'm still very new but I recently found myself falling into this trap and this video was a nice wake-up call to dig myself out. I've had some success (as in positive engagement in large numbers) on a few of my pictures and the feeling really is rather addictive. I was telling myself those likes were a sign of my progress and started measuring my progress through that metric. But really, so many of my favorite pictures gather no traction whatsoever. My very favorites are pictures of strangers that I met that day, whom I got to talk to and build a fleeting relationship with and was able to give photos to that they could appreciate and keep with them as a memory. I like photos, but I love PHOTOGRAPHY: the process, the stories, the feeling. That's what it's really about.

I agree that seeking validation on social media is not the same thing as being an artist just because we love the art (or the experiences). But it's difficult not to fall into that trap when you're trying to go from amateur to pro. The pictures that I took, that are my personal favorites, are definitely not those that get the most likes. But when people constantly ask for my "Instagram", I can't help but watch what "works" and what doesn't, because I still have no idea when or how I'm going to get paid for my first job. You're in a privileged situation (undoubtedly well earned) in which you can do both your own notion of what is "art", or share precious moments like those, and still make a good living. I envy you in the most positive way.

6:27 the meaning of life is to give life meaning

"It's linked to their social media". Man, those are facts right there! That guy was so excited about the print. Love to see it! Gifting photography to people, fills the heart man.

Honestly, I use photography to help me with my various mental health issues as an excuse to get out of the house.  I’m still on IG and FB, but posting there is not the reason for doing what I do.

I got a Fujifilm X-Pro1 for $220 and a BMPCC4K for $400. All gears I have are used, and I enjoy using them to create images and stories every day. I think what I am missing is to print the images out and give them to the people in my life.

So much agree with you. As I mentioned on Instagram, Giving somebody a print and see their joy and happiness is what photography is all about for me. That is also the reason I photograph free for Red Cross every year and the Norwegian rescue dogs organisation. As a photographer you can give somebody memories and moments that they might not even thought about. I have a small following on Instagram, but don't really care i put out photos I like and what give me joy. I love my Leicas, and bring them (at least one of them) with me everywhere!

When my wife and I were clearing out a room to make a nursery for our son, we found two old Nikons that we forgot we kept when her grandfather died. For almost three years, I just learned, shot a ton, and documented life's moments in a way that felt (to me) a little more intentional than just shooting on my iPhone. Earlier this year though we had a church member that was going through some financial hardship and she was about to give birth, she was talking about how ugly she felt and how she couldn't take pictures, so I offered to take her pictures at no cost. I covered the film, the development, and it was a very rewarding thing. I agree with the sentiment of the video (although I'm a pastor so my outlook on life is a little different, haha), and that we should just do photography first and foremost for what it is: documenting. The sharing aspect is cool and honestly, I love sharing what I capture, but I shoot to document for myself, my family, and hopefully others. Thank for this video! Love the content!

This will win the video of the year award. Such true, raw emotion is very rare to see. Thank you.

@freewellgear Cam, your Freewell partnership actually helped me start shooting instead of just watching. Grabbed gear for my obsolete iPhone 13 pro with your discount, a tripod from goodwill, using what lights and bedsheets I had, and began. Photography isn’t dead — it’s just getting started again after a 20 year hiatus. Thanks brother. Also, Jericho, if you see this, please make another movie on speed and chaos. If you ain't first, you're last! Shake and Bake!

This really resonated with me. I’m not really a photographer, barely a hobbyist, but two weeks ago I was trusted to take pictures at some friends daughters confirmation party(is that a thing in the states?). I think they made me equally happy for giving me the chance. Luckily, and with the use of a reflector screen, I made some decent portraits as the sun was about to set. Seeing that shy girl smile in front of a camera was such a joy.