74. Venice Beach & The Power of Shooting Together
During my recent LA trip, I spent a day photographing with Jefferson Graham, whose travel series Photowalks TV has grown from YouTube into a nationally broadcast show on Scripps News. It’s been exciting to watch that evolution—and to see what persistence around a creative idea can become.
He offered to show me around Venice Beach. I told him I didn’t want the typical tourist shots—I had just learned about the Venice canals and wanted to start there. He insisted we begin at the skate park instead. I reluctantly agreed.
He was right!
Photographing the skateboarders was pure energy—movement, timing, blur. I had more fun than I expected, and I left with a new itch to explore people in motion more seriously. I’m now looking up skate parks near home. I’m hooked.
The big takeaway wasn’t the photos. It was the reminder that shooting with someone else pulls you out of your habits. You borrow their eyes for a while. You try something you might have skipped on your own. And sometimes you discover a new passion.
Go photograph with someone. You’ll both leave with more than the images you make.
If you don’t know about it already, learn about Substack Photographers’ Car Week: March 6-12 and get instructions for participating here.
Good advice, Josh. I almost always go out alone, but you’re right — it helps, sometimes, to see what and how others see. I’ll make a note to visit a local skate park.
Incidentally, when I first read this post’s title, I thought it was about collaborative drug use. But that would be “shooting up.” Simply “shooting” is less concerning — as long as the only thing you’re packing is your camera.
Lots of fun! Thanks for the mention!