Day 1 of Creative Camp

Day 1 of taking myself to Creative Camp.

I’m a creative director who wants to be more creative, so this summer I’m doing 30 creative adventures.

And you’re invited to join me!

My first randomly generated prompt is:

Photograph.
People.
Slow.

Which immediately makes me want to overthink everything.

“Slow” could mean a lot of things, but for me, I immediately think: Rule #1: use what you have.

And I know I have just the tool for the job: an instant camera. BOOM.

I'm excited that the twist gives me permission to take my time.

And since I'm already headed to Ohio Street Beach for my first open water swim of triathlon training season, I pack the camera and invite the prompt along with me.

The end of Day 1 of Creative Camp does not disappoint. Who needs a campfire when you have this sunset? Best skyline in the world, change my mind.

JK, you can’t. 😉

This is one of my favorite summer feelings: a swim outside my comfort zone, the jeweled city at night, people everywhere — swimming, walking, watching the sky change, becoming part of the picture without needing to be the subject.

And I get to capture it. (Thanks, Me! I love camp!)

In the morning, I look at my little treasure and decide it's too precious to tuck away. So I find an extra frame (Rule #1!), grab some collage paper, and make it a little home.

Does it look perfect here or what?

My pretty city.

And because apparently I’m incapable of doing camp without a camp journal, I started one.

Rule #3: process over product.

I took a few minutes to reflect on Day 1: what it inspired in me, what it brought up in me, how it challenged me.

First impression: it's really hard not to optimize this.

I can feel myself wanting to manicure it, package it, perfect it.

But the whole point is to practice staying with the experience instead of turning it into another assignment. And that creative constraint is incredibly freeing.

So here’s Day 1 = imperfect + wildly unoptimized, just as camp is meant to be.

I will continue to surrender, resist the urge to perfect, and know that whoever is meant to see this is.

Hi! Welcome to camp.