So as promised this week’s blog will take a brief look into what I like to call my other life. Photography was is a passion of mine. I basically started about 8 years ago when a lot of people lied to me and told me I was good. In reality, looking back, I was terrible. I feel bad that people actually used to pay me for what I was producing. Think two-toned images, black and white with only some color.
*Sigh*
However, it gave me the drive and initiative to learn and progress my passion. So in 2009 I enrolled in school and earned a photography degree 2 years later. Most days the degree feels like a waste as I learned much of what I know now outside of school in workshops and through a lot of practice, trial and error, and assistance.
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” – Ansel Adams
A couple of major thank yous for this skill of mine goes out to my wife for supporting me on such a lucrative dream, and being patient through all the days, weeks, and months that I have dedicated to photography.
The other major thank you goes out to my dad who has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me to learn new techniques. For introducing me to off camera flash, and for always, even still to this day, being my assistant without ever asking for anything in return. I definitely don’t think I would be where I am at today with photography without you.
I love the connection I have with clients. Being able to bring out their true personalities and letting it shine. My favorite is working with children. I absolutely LOVED newborn photography. I have been called, many times, the “baby whisperer”. Getting kids to come out of their shells and give me the biggest smiles when mom and dad have been telling me for weeks that it wouldn’t happen is such a joyous feeling. I feel like I am actually doing something important, documenting these precious moments in families lives. I love being able to share those moments with them and to experience such incredible things.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” – Aaron Siskind
Seniors, milestones, engagements, weddings, bridals, boudoir, families, and even births. Such incredible moments that families will treasure forever. And I will never forget. Even for those who are no longer in our lives, I still have experiences and memories that will always be there.
Now I am stepping away from photography as a career and moving towards something a little more practical *and stable!* financially. On the bright side, I have developed a skill I can use throughout my life. I have 3 children who always need updated pictures, I hope to one day have grandchildren, and I have family and friends who simply will not let me no longer do their pictures. 🙂
So I am handing it off to my dad, who has progressed immensely over the last few years. There are days now where his pictures are even better than mine.
So without further ado, here are some of my absolute favorite pictures I have taken over the years. Some of these go back all the way to 2012. There are also quite a few pictures which I absolutely love that I choose not to share for privacy concerns, subject matter, the fact that my children sometimes read this blog, and also for personal reasons.
I would absolutely love to hear feedback, comments, questions, or anything you may have!
K~
