Aaron Shaver: What is Photography to You?

Exploring Photography Through Others’ Eyes, Part III

Precise-Moment.com’s third edition of Exposure is dedicated to emerging outdoor photographer Aaron Shaver, a high school Junior from Staunton, Virginia, who is slowly making a name for himself on the Internet.

Aaron shares his work on popular photo-sharing sites and forums, and in doing so is garnering acclaim and winning contests. Although he seems disenchanted about people thinking he’s too young, he says that sometimes his photographic ability is questioned because he’s self-taught and doesn’t have enough experience.

Some may dismiss Aaron’s talent as luck, or that he isn’t ready to be a professional photographer, but if you take a look at his body of work so far, you can see that he has a sophisticated eye and passion for landscape and wildlife photography.

Precise Moment asked Aaron what photography meant to him, and he gave us a new perspective on what its like to be a young emerging photographer.

This is what photography means to Aaron Shaver:

“Photography to me is almost a way of communication visually between the photographer and the viewer. It is a way to share my experiences and show what I see in the world when I step outside. Photography to me is also an escape. Being in love with nature, this is how I view it. There is no better escape than being in the woods on a foggy morning, alone, with only my camera to capture how it felt and looked at that moment.

I believe photography is the most powerful of all art forms, because it evokes emotion and perception. Photography is also a way to create a memory or something to fall back on. I find it amazing that with one click of the shutter you can freeze a scene to have forever.

For example, when the morning sun creates crepuscular rays in the mist, this is a special light that only lasts for so long. Though it is a common occurrence, by taking just one photograph, it can last forever. However, in order to capture something amazing that does not last long, you need to be at the right place at the right time. Therefore, photography is also a challenge. When waiting for wildlife patience is key, as is timing. Photography is a way to challenge myself and test my limits mentally and physically. How long can I wait? How good can I do? Will I be successful? Sometimes I am and other times I am not. Photography is my passion because of nature. It is my passion because I can show others what I see in the world,” Aaron Says.

Aaron has the right idea and perception about photography which I think will surely make him successful. He seems to have the soul of a veteran photographer, but the great thing is his talent is only rising as he gets older. I will look forward to seeing his future work and his path in the photographic life. To learn more about Aaron, and to see more of his work be sure to visit his website here, and like him on Facebook by clicking here.