The idea of freedom goes hand-in-hand with July in America, but this July asks us to do more than just watch fireworks and have barbecues. It asks us to really think about this ideal. Because this year, not just the U.S., but the whole world is focused on the freedoms that all human beings should possess, and we here at Shoot My Travel want to reflect on how our art of photography can help us celebrate and perpetuate those freedoms.

We want to use this moment to show that our cameras stand in solidarity with all humans pursuing their inalienable rights, from all our amazing clients across this beautiful planet to our brave photographers throughout the world documenting the moment we live in.

Freedom of love

It is only right that humans are free to love, because at our core we are love. 

Though we may not always be able to show it, the camera has a way of capturing that truth. A tender look from a parent to a child, a stolen kiss between lovers, the unabashed laughter amongst friends. And it’s a common trait of all photographers that they love capturing people in love, but not just during the planned family portraits and engagement photoshoots. Their photojournalistic sense also wants to document the moments when no one is looking, like when a child plays with their dog or strangers hug at a gathering. 

Photography strips us of our barriers and shows our inherent nature of love. It helps perpetuate the freedom to love by showing we are at our best when we love freely and without reservation. That’s why you will always see love in our photographs. Because all love and humans should be celebrated! 

Freedom of expression

If a human is love, then there is nothing more beautiful than the expression of that human spirit to the outside world, in its unique, individual way. 

We are so grateful for the freedom of expression that results in the paintings, architecture, fashion, and more that we can share as a society, but also the family recipes and garden plots, games with our children, and other more personal expressions we share at home with those closest to us.

Our professional and local photographers use their cameras daily to both memorialize and celebrate this freedom of expression, showing the wonderful objects and moments we humans create when allowed to express our true selves. 

Freedom of choice

It can be as simple as what drink you want with lunch or as complex as what career you want to pursue. But the freedom of choice ensures you get to decide. 

Our photographers are here to capture the beautiful, unique choices that you, and only you, can make. What defines you and what path you’ve put yourself on. And each time they show up to a photoshoot with hard-earned equipment and honed skills, they’re practicing their own freedom of choice, as well. Which lens, camera, an angle to best capture that couple, that evening, that destination. 

For those of us who are able to exercise the freedom of choice it can be far to easy to take it for granted, and so we urge you, each time you look at a photograph, even just a snapshot from vacation, reflect on the wonderful choices you were able to enjoy in that moment: what you wore, who you were with, where you went. Every photograph can be testament to our freedom of choice, or lack thereof, which must also be documented so the rest of us know who to support.

Freedom of assembly 

This may sound a little formal at first, and you might ask, “How does this apply to me and photography?” 

The freedom of assembly, at its essence, is practiced every time we gather with people, in public or the privacy of our home, to express our opinions and feelings on something. It can look like long nights of Dungeons & Dragons at a friend’s house or a mass public protest in the city center. We are able to do both because of the freedom of assembly.

In recent months, this freedom has especially relied on photography and photographers to promote and preserve it. Without our photographers documenting public assemblies, the freedom to have them might be suppressed and others, unable to participate, may not know what is happening in the world. Photographers not only capture the world we live in, but they help preserve important rights by sharing what it looks like to express that right and also to have it taken away.

We hope that through this post we have shared a glimpse of how sacred freedom is to us, this month, this year, and always. And how our work here at Shoot My Travel is dedicated to celebrating those freedoms through photography. 

Our professional photographers all over the world ⎼ your world ⎼ will continue to capture you exercising your freedoms and being the beautiful, strong, brave individuals you are. 

Check out our new summer packages which are all about promoting the freedom of being who are in this moment in time!