We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shannon Hartford a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned to do what I do through experimentation. In my opinion, increasing the speed of learning isn’t as important as genuinely understanding the subject at hand. I believe that the creative process doesn’t need to be viewed as a race. The most essential thing to learn would be the appreciation of one’s own journey. This can be both a skill to learn and an obstacle to overcome, as many of us were taught to measure ourselves based off of what we are able to produce rather than what makes us happy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Quantum Flow Photography is about encapsulating specific energies through images. These are not simply photos as they hold light and emotion. Each series of photographs tells a story of their own.

My journey in the world of arts began at a very young age with writing and snapping photos on a disposable camera. As a child I had filled dozens of journals with personal poems and philosophical quests of my inner world. Eventually I dove into film photography and print making over 10 years ago. The experimentation with darkroom techniques and different exposure effects started to really spark my interest. During that time, I was immediately pulled towards images that were much more adventurous in the technical world of photography. Finally, a digital camera found its way into my life and from there I continued my visual expedition of trial and error!

My intention for each photograph is to capture the energy of the subject and allow it to emit emotion. The pieces that I produce are meant to be deeply connected with. I use my camera to visually paint the essence of myself, another radiant being or the natural world. The light in each image is meant to heal you and the contrasting darkness is meant to provide you with a silent place to reflect in.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I never intended to create anything for recognition from the outside world. To be honest, I was very fearful of being held to anyone else’s standards or expectations. I chose to create in order to express myself, to release my own emotions in ways that resonate with me. When I began to grow a larger audience I felt fear. The fear that I would have to compete with others to prove my worth. The fear that I had to prove my authenticity and explain it to the world rather than trusting it would show. I came to understand that having more people acknowledge my work didn’t mean I had to do anything differently at all. After careful reflection, I realized that this is what helps me shine light on the beauty of this world. Through this form of expression I am constantly rewarded by the growth I encounter when I face my fears and the fulfillment I gain when genuine connections are made from it.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In art and life, the lesson of unlearning comparison becomes significant…. We are multidimensional beings! We all have something wonderful and unique to bring to the table. Many of us become discouraged when embarking on a new journey because we aren’t sure if we will be “good enough” or we look at others who we consider to be “better”. We must remember to support one another, appreciate our differences and encourage each other to step out of the norm and deeper into ourselves… There’s a great chance it will bring wonderful things.

What comes from your heart, will set you apart!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quantumflowphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qflowphotos/