be mindful with your camera to get better photos.
I recently had the incredible opportunity to speak with the esteemed photographer Rio Helmi. Our conversation really resonated with me and got me thinking deeply about the transformative power of photography and storytelling. Rio’s unique blend of cultural documentation and mindful image-making offers profound insights into how photography can evolve from a mere hobby into a meaningful practice of self-expression and cultural preservation. It reminded me of my own journey and the moments that have shaped my perspective as a photographer.
"Photography is like being a Samurai: you need to be thoughtful and intentional with every shot you take. It’s more about the vision than the tools you use.”
One of the most compelling lessons from my conversation with Rio Helmi is the importance of 'Mindful Photography'. Rio emphasized that photography is not just about capturing images but about being thoughtful and intentional in your practice. This mindfulness can profoundly change how you see the world and connect with your subjects.
I talk about Mindful Photography all the time with my audience but reflecting on Rio’s own philosophies, I realized how crucial it was to discuss and implement some practical ways to do this:
INTENTIONALITY
Define Your Purpose: Before you think about what photos you want, take a moment to understand what you are doing it for and why you doing it. What story are you trying to tell? What emotion are you trying to evoke? I always find that defining a clear purpose for my shots makes them more impactful.
Mindful Selection: Be selective with your shots. Instead of taking numerous photos ('spraying and praying'), focus on capturing the ones that truly matter. This approach has helped me slow down and notice the important things, the things that could mean the difference between good and great. (Also why film is so good.)
BE PRESENT
Engage Fully: When photographing, I try to fully engage with my environment and subjects. Avoiding distractions and focusing on the moment helps me connect more deeply with what I’m capturing. This is especially important with portraits.
Breathe and Observe: Taking a moment to breathe and observe before taking a shot has been a game-changer for me. It allows me to connect with the scene and capture its essence more effectively.
CONNECT WITH SUBJECTS
Build Relationships: Spending time with your subjects and understanding their stories and emotions can lead to more authentic photographs.
Empathy and Respect: Approaching your subjects with empathy and respect fosters trust and results in more genuine photographs. Something that's easy to forget, but is something Rio highlighted beautifully in our conversation.
Some other 'fun facts' from this episode:
Rio speaks 6 languages, including English, Indonesian, Balinese, French, German, and a bit of Tibetan. This linguistic diversity helps him connect more deeply with his subjects in photography.
Rio’s interest in photography was sparked in his childhood by an encounter with a photographer in 1965. This early inspiration set the foundation for his lifelong passion for visual storytelling.
Rio once used a unique teaching method prompting students to imagine a world without photographs, emphasizing the power and significance of visual imagery.
Inspired by Rio Helmi’s insights on mindful photography? Well, I was. Watch the full episode of our conversation here to explore the transformative power of photography and storytelling.
Happy Shooting,
