The Hidden Collaborators Behind Every Good Photograph
The overlooked role of collaboration to sharpen your creative vision.
Landscape photography is mostly a solitary endeavor.
For many of us, it’s a meditative act, time spent alone, camera in hand. We enjoy the quiet, waiting for the light to fall just right. It’s where we slow down, breathe a little deeper, and try to notice what the rest of the world hurries past.
But not every image is born from solitude. Some come from companionship, from the people (and dogs) who pull us gently out the door when we might otherwise stay in.
We’d just checked into our room after a long day of travel, planning to relax and enjoy a quiet evening. My camera was still in the bag. But Linus, our intrepid four-legged explorer, had other plans. We jokingly call him our tour director because of his love for exploring new places. As soon as he caught a whiff of these new surroundings, he was ready for adventure.
He wanted to see where we were, to find the trails and scents that made this place different. So out we went.
That spontaneous walk led us to a small waterfront as the sun began to set. I hadn’t planned to take photos, but he was determined to get out and about, and it was the perfect time of day. The images from that evening, unplanned and unscripted, became some of my favorites from the trip.
The next evening, as we searched for dinner, my wife noticed something I’d missed entirely: a row of brightly colored Adirondack chairs overlooking the water, lit softly by streetlights with a backdrop made by the last orange glow of dusk. I saw the photo instantly, but she’s the one who saw the scene.
Another morning, when I was struggling to choose a location, she suggested a spot I hadn’t even considered. I had written it off because the view wasn’t in a remote area. Even in a populated area, it turned out to be perfect. The resulting images are going to be some of the best of this trip.
Photography can absolutely be a form of meditation. But these moments remind me that even a solitary pursuit is rarely done in isolation. Sometimes we need a nudge from a companion who sees what we might overlook, or a dog who insists there’s still time for one more walk before dark.
So yes, photography often begins in solitude. But many of my favorite photographs exist because of the people (and one very persistent dog) who helped me find them.
✅ Where to Find Me
You can find more of my work on the web at: Simmons Photography
If you want to work with me, or inquire about licensing images: Contact Page
More of my work can be seen on Vero and Flickr.