Intention and Allowing: Bring Both to Your Work
Nathalia Artus proudly showing her tattoo of her parent’s initials
One of the great things about being an entrepreneur is that you get to chart your own destiny. A few years ago, I was called to create an exhibit to raise awareness and explore issues around how we are all more alike than we might think despite some of our differences. I call the exhibit IdentityRVA.
Recently I unveiled new images in the exhibit to reflect eleven images of diverse women and eleven diverse men at the Weinstein JCC.
A viewer looking at Cornelius Johnson’s portrait
I debuted the first IdentityRVA exhibit several years ago. For my newest exhibit, I was intentional about creating new experiences for my audience, including:
Having a shared experience by watching the video together on a large screen
Having a panel discussion
Having Q&A (audience could ask questions)
Having the opportunity to talk about my process such as printing the large portraits (mostly unposed) on watercolor paper to enliven the person. The watercolor paper shows the texture of their skin.
It was so incredible to have the audience see the portraits and also hear from many of the subjects during the panel discussion and Q&A!
Panel Discussion with the IdentityRVA participants.
Panel Discussion with the IdentityRVA participants.
At the same time, I was also grateful to experience along with the audience so many amazing things during the panel discussion and Q&A, which I did not expect!
For example:
One of the participants, Derrick said that he views failure as "Winning in reverse." I love that! What a beautiful way to reframe past failures by learning from them.
I wasn't prepared to hear the participants talk about how their life was positively changed by participating in IdentityRVA.
Ben talked about this was the first time he talked publicly about having PTSD.
Sylvia said it was harder to come out about her views she shared than coming out gay. She used to live 10 years in a basement and only get groceries at 3 am.
Cornelius talked about being a foster kid and spoke for the first time publicly about being a child of incest.
It was so moving to hold space for these amazing people to share from their heart.
Roberta Oster and me - she was having me take 3 deep breathes before we started the program because I was nervous :)
That’s why I wanted to write this article and share it with you. I don’t care if you are creating art or commerce, it’s so important to be intentional with your work AND also to allow great things to happen.
Being intentional means having a vision for what you seek to create and bring into the world.
Allowing means giving space for beautiful surprises that make the work and experience even better.
Doing both can be challenging! On one hand, you are resolute in what you are creating. On the other hand, you are open to possibilities. That, to me, is the recipe for great things.
I try to embody intention and allowing in my work as an executive and personal branding photographer. I work closely with my clients to identify their goals. I identify the photographs and videos that will best serve my clients. Yet in the moment of creation, I am open to new possibilities. It could be a piece of jewelry my client is wearing that inspires me to try a different photograph. Or I might notice a beautiful expression on my client’s face that I want to capture.
Intention and allowing are the recipe for great work and experiences.
Baldeep Pooni
WHERE TO SEE IDENTITYRVA
My exhibit at the Weinstein JCC runs through March 7th, 2020 at Sara D. November Gallery.
After that, I’m delighted to share that IdentityRVA will premiere at the Richmond Public Library (Downtown) beginning Friday, May 1st!
On opening night 5/1/20, (timed with First Fridays), we’ll have a new panel discussion with participants. You really need to hear from these amazing participants. Their stories are courageous, inspiring, and life-affirming. Check my site, email and social media for more details!