The one sad thing about the Big Leo time of year is that it signals those last fleeting days of summer. The sound of cicadas on a cool August night, where the breeze almost feels like a hint of October, a full two months early. Safe to say this is my favorite time of the year. I love this shot by Björn Wallander, it really captures that feeling.
This is from a personal series that Björn shot in Sweden. I guess I should say ‘from a series’ because although this wasn’t an assignment, it really is not separate from the work that he shoots for commercial clients. It has that same feel, the same quality of light. Calling something personal work just separates it from everything else. The best photographers really are who they are, and their vision is never fractured into different spheres of commercial and not commercial.
Being able to tell and story, to evoke a feeling, those are the things that matter. And when you do that for a client, it should come from the same place. Even when a shoot is art directed down to the most minute detail, there is a always going to be a touch of the personal in there. Summertime is always good for getting away, traveling and spending time with friends, and so many great opportunities to pick up the camera, but not for anyone else but yourself. Those are the times to push the work further with no risk, nothing at stake, and to shoot with love. This fishing series that Björn shot is a lot like that, and we always include it with his portfolio. An equivalent assignment doesn’t always come around so sometimes you need to go out there and do it yourself. No better time than August – Big Leo time!
