Xin Li is a twenty-one-year-old photographer living in Bergen, Norway who likes to chase light. She has been interested in photography all of her life and believes that photography is not just important to document the beauty that she sees around her, but to also tell stories with her work.
Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/xin
In this episode, Xin discusses:
-How she got her initial interest in photography and the journey that she took to get to the place that she is now.
-How she gets very emotionally attached to her photographs because they often come from her own feelings.
-How photography (and all forms of art) can be used as a way to get your emotions out, and in that way it can be a form of therapy.
-What it was like when she first started sharing her photos on social media.
-How she sometimes struggles with comparing herself to other photographers, and how important it is to admire instead of compare.
-A time when she was in a creative limbo, not taking pictures (and how she got out of it).
-That it is perfectly okay to take a break from your art, and that breaks, whether long or short, don't signify that you're not an artist anymore.
-How some of her best moments are when she receives admiration for her work.
-One of her favorite photographs.
-How the internet and social media helped to give her confidence, as nobody in her town was out taking photographs the way she was.
-How she has scheduled days in her calendar that are strictly made for photography.
Xin's Final Push will inspire you to ignore the followers and "likes," and to remember to do your art for yourself!
Quotes:
"Throughout the years, I used a lot of disposable cameras."
"For me, photography has always been a creative and emotional outlet."
"I like to document my life and things that I see, sure. But I also want to tell stories with my work."
"I feel very emotionally attached to most of the photos that I take, because the inspiration of it often comes from my own feelings."
"I started taking photos every time I was feeling down, and it worked like therapy for me."
"I felt really exposed, but it felt good because people saw me for my work and not the other things."
"Don't compare yourself to other people. Look up to them instead. Admire their work and maybe it will inspire you and push you to create something yourself."
"If you feel like you need a break from your art, whether it's a day or a month to think and to feel, that's okay. You don't stop being an artist just because of that."
"Always remember that you are doing this for yourself, not to compete with others."
Links mentioned:
"Everything is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer