Something Always Gets in the Way

The most difficult part of my job is forsaking comfort for a few hours to go take photos. I love photography and I enjoy the process, but sometimes I just want to watch TV with my wife or read a book instead.

I’ve learned that every good thing requires effort. But there’s always a bottleneck, a friction point that stops progression. Whenever I schedule a shoot, something intervenes. Someone calls for help, my stomach hurts, the weather turns, I get tired. Something always gets in the way.

In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield describes an invisible force called Resistance that rises up to thwart any act of creation or self-improvement, manifesting as procrastination, fear, or distraction to prevent you from doing your most meaningful work. The professional, he says, defeats Resistance by showing up regardless of mood or circumstance. Inspiration follows effort.

To that end, I schedule my shoots. I know, that sounds counter to the romance of art-making. But if I don’t schedule it, it doesn’t happen. Something will come up that will prevent me from doing my job. 

Such was the case with this photograph. In 2019 my daughter was a sophomore at Boise High School and I drove her to school each morning. I scheduled photographic outings on Tuesday and Thursday mornings after drop-off, heading into the foothills for a couple of hours. This particular morning I was exhausted and distracted by family troubles. When I dropped her off I just wanted to go home and talk with my wife. But I thought about Resistance and pointed the car toward the foothills instead.

Standing alone on that high point, the cold air filled my lungs and reminded me that the world is larger than my problems. Mountains, pine trees, a winding dirt path going up and over them. It gave me perspective. I felt better. When I got home we quickly found a solution to our problem and I also had this photograph.

When I finish a shoot I always feel a sense of victory, like I’ve beaten something. I did my job. But I’m not always successful. Sometimes Resistance wins.

What are you trying to achieve? Is Resistance beating you?