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Recovered, Refocused, Renewed! Welcome to my past 12 months of photography adventures

Over the past twelve months I became a new photographer. Somewhat by choice, and somewhat by necessity. Because, not that long ago I wasn’t even sure if I could still be a photographer. This wasn’t because of a lack of interest or desire, but because my brain and body were not working as they should. Last year I finally got to the right bunch of doctors; who, with the extraordinary support of my wife, son, friends and family, helped me recover and get back behind the camera, doing what I love.

During this time, we were (and still are!) running “The Photo Shootout” photography festivals in both the Black Hills of South Dakota and in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. We developed a relationship with Tamron as a sponsor of these events, I had a familiarity with the brand before this since I already had one of their macro lenses and a wide angle I liked. But at our events, I came to know a lot of the great people associated with this company, and got to try out all their lenses. The lighter weight designs and much more attractive prices, considering all our medical bills, fit my new reality. My days of lugging a photo store around on my back were done. I learned how to be a photographer all over again, discovering a new level of creativity and joy in the art.

Before getting sick I had labeled myself as a wildlife photographer, loading myself down with big heavy gear to go in search of animals. “Settling” for other subjects only between each wildlife encounter. When I was sick, I labeled myself as a photographer who couldn’t do photography the way I used to, so I didn’t do any. Coming out the other side of the medical merry-go-round I was on gave me a new found burst of creativity, one that I found went beyond the narrow label of wildlife photographer I had stamped on myself. In the process I learned that I had a new reality, new interests, and a new outlook that reflected both my journey and hopes for the future.

I “unspecialized”, and become a photographer without labels or creative limits. I have a small case that goes with me everywhere with my go-to lenses; the Tamron 150-600mm, 70-200mm, 180mm macro, and 15-30mm. I can shoot anything that walks, flies, or appears in front of my camera with this kit. With this line up of lenses, over the past 12 months capturing images of anything that caught my eye and imagination, from rainbows to railroads, cowboys to cars, water lilies to wild horses.

Old Ford in an old Ford graveyard, so to speak, just south of Tallahassee. Fun place to shoot, I could spend days with these old cars.
We spotted this pair of wild horses in Teddy Roosevelt National Park, while driving and scouting in search of wildlife. For a fleeting moment, the stallion and mare began nuzzling each other. Having a ready camera and an open car window made this shot possible!
I've had a photo close to this in my head for a while of railroad tracks disappearing into fog. Got some nice fog and light this morning right at the spot I was hoping for!

you have to have the right gear to create the images you want.

By putting aside my old tools and learning to use new ones, I rediscovered a love of this art, and new ways of being creative with it.

I made a complete break with what I used to do and started using gear that fit what I needed for my photography now. This has helped me bring to reality the images I want to create and am able to express myself as the artist I want to be, instead of worrying about the things I could no longer do. I am having more fun and success as a photographer than at any other point in my career!

Welcome to my past 12 months of photography adventures

I hope you enjoyed seeing these shots as much as I enjoyed creating them!

If you would like to see more, check out www.HahnNaturePhotography.com, or visit us on Instagram at @naturephotographerjason!

Created By
Jason Hahn
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Credits:

© Hahn Nature Photography, LLC. www.HahnNaturePhotography.com. All Rights Reserved.