See Your City Differently: Erin Sees Tulsa

How many of you take the same, exact drive to work everyday? How many of you reach your destination and couldn't tell me what you saw because you're so accustomed to seeing it everyday?

As a photographer here in Tulsa, I often find myself shooting the same spots around town. You know the ones: Woodward Park, the old buildings of downtown, the spiral staircase that pretty much always has at least two if not three photographers hovering around it.

And there's a reason people want pictures in these locations. But, as a photographer, I also strive for each shoot to be unique and creative, for it to bring out the personality of the people I'm photographing. And for that reason I work hard to see the location differently.

This is my challenge for you: see your city differently. Do this and I guarantee you will be inspired.

Recently a client suggested downtown for his shoot. I thought about it. Then, I decided that instead of being in downtown, we should make downtown our backdrop.

We climbed a little hill overlooking the highway and watched the sun as it set on the buildings. And we were amazed:



Driving away, my eye caught this:



And then awhile later that same evening, the colors began to intensify and the lights of downtown started to dance:



I felt like I had seen the skyline, OUR skyline, differently that evening. Different light, different angles, different feel.

Don't get stuck doing and seeing the same things in Tulsa over and over. This city has come alive. And it's time for you to see it.

Tulsa photographer Erin Conrad photoblogs weekly at Tasha Does Tulsa as Erin Sees Tulsa. Check out her recent posts here.