As the rest of us, I too am often being asked: “So…what do you do…?” My answer of being a full-time, money earning photographer and artist, especially in these interesting times of ours, oftentimes brings out the: “Oh, really?”, coupled with one or both eyebrows raised in disbelief. So I smilingly explain having paid my dues by spending 20 years in an unrelated corporate career and that, after a long period of inner work and soul-searching, I eventually reached the point where following my heart and passion became essential to recognizing and pursuing my dream. I quit my job as a “National Product Manager” with a German based Fortune 100 conglomerate and turned my photography hobby into my new full-time profession.
Was it easy you might wonder? Hell no!! It was amongst the scariest things I have done. Jumping into the open, stepping out from underneath the protecting umbrella of a large corporation, establishing ones’ new identity is not easy, yet a very rewarding and life altering process. After burning through my savings, experiencing numerous bouts of anxiety attacks and episodes of trial and error, I eventually began to understand what I was meant to be doing in the new segment of my life. I never looked back on corporate…
Photography is much more than images on paper. Photography is about visual communication, the artistic visual representation of brief moments in time, each captured for and in its Essence. This is true for any type of photography, no matter what subject or purpose. In today’s world, images speak the strongest language, and it is a Universal one!
Amongst the numerous goals of this blog are my desire to offer and share my experience, strength and hope gained along the various aspects of my life’s journey with kindred spirits and those who are interested in making shifts in their lives. Parts of this journey have been described in my book “Inspirationals – Photography and Writings by Marian Kraus”. You can read more about it here.
According to Zen, the only life we have is that which is found in the present. Everything else is memory or anticipation. We must be awake to really live which is what the word Buddha means – one who is awake. Mindfulness, or waking up to the present, is not easily mastered yet extraordinarily important and fulfilling. And to be truly sensitive to the unique visual offerings of the moment, and not be lost to and in the myriad of our every day distractions, is also highly effective for photography. If our minds are quiet and not preoccupied with agendas, we will be able to respond to the intuitive and spontaneous reactions of our inner being as it responds to the awesome beauty and wonder of life. Through the vehicle of my photography I’d like to present you with unexpected views of familiar objects which encourage open-mindedness.
Another goal for my blog is to demonstrate how the use of photography for interior design and decor applications positively transforms the living and working environments and how it enhances the creation of tranquil, healing and inspiring spaces. When I left my corporate carreer in the spring of 1999, one of my goals has been to bring the healing aspects of nature into living and working environments and to visually transform those spaces in a roundabout positive way. Over the years my fine art photography has been exhibited nationally and internationally and can be found in a growing number of private, corporate and institutional art collections. You can view some of the installations here.
And for those of you who want to create better photographs, I do offer tips and insights as to how one can do that. My photographs present a distinct affinity for new perspective and thanks to a rare combination of professional background and personal outlook, you may find my work to be differing from others. Pursuing my passion and applying the guiding principles of The Golden Ratio, photography is the confluence of these two fundamental facets of my life.
Marian Kraus Photography services have encompassed
the architectural, advertising, corporate and editorial markets. My photos have appeared in numerous periodicals as well as DuPage County’s book, Economic Powerhouse. The City of Naperville, IL selected my work for its 175 Birthday Photo Exhibit “Mirror Image” and my clients include Crate & Barrel, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. / OnRequest Images, Graycor, Inc., Chicago Double Decker Co., Erdman Company, Bovis Lend Lease, Inc., Mc Kesson Pharmaceuticals, RMK, Truefitt & Hill N.A. and many others.
I am mentioning these facets mainly to demonstrate that life after two decades of an unrelated carreer is possible. Something that was truly difficult to see from “within the box”. I am eternally grateful to those who have been available to assist and support me in the process.
If you care to share some of your own experiences or if you have specific questions pertaining to any of the above, I invite you to leave a comment and I will be delighted to get back to you.
Enjoy & Share.
Wishing you well, Marian Kraus
