Photography is the Answer.

Back in....the stone age....or last January, whichever it feels more like to you, I celebrated my 500th post by asking my readers to ask me a few questions.  I am S    L    O    W   L    Y  answering them, cause I'm all courteous like that.  

Lucky for me (well probably YOU), there were a few questions I could lump all together into the same post, or we'd be answering these questions well into 2010 and a half.  

Michelle, of Big Blueberry Eyes, happened to wonder when my passion for photography started.  I happen to think it was her nice way of asking me when the heck I started taking 1411 photos of my kid, AND the kitchen sink each week.  Well....THAT my friends.....is a LONG story, but I'll spare you the boring juicy details, and give the short of it.  

Last week.  Yup, it was sometime last week, that I thought to myself, "SELF.....you need a passion.  I'm thinking this silly little habit of taking 40 bajillion photos could fit the bill.  Maybe people will quit looking at you funny while you lay stomach first on the sidewalk in front of McDonald's aiming your camera at some litter, if you can legitimately say 'look it's my passion!'  It might work. Who knows???"

Okay, so maybe it didn't really go down like that, exactly.  My interest in taking photos started at band camp.....

Okay, so not really like that either.  I honestly got my first camera when I was in 5th grade.  I have little to show for it, as my parents allotted me like 1 roll of film every year.  In High School, I took one quarter of Photography.  I can't remember much from that class other than having the honor of using my dad's Minolta SLR, and hating the smell of the dark room.  My College years, I have a few dumb photos of me and my friends, but somehow, some sort of skill must have shown through because I was elected photographer TWICE when friends wanted sexy photos taken of them for their boyfriends.   I have to say.....I learned nothing from either experience, and the photos really sucked.  

I would say, that I upped my photography game around 2002 when I went to Hawaii for the first time and took 10 rolls of film.  Then shortly after, I went to Washington D.C. for the first time and took 12 rolls of film.  The feedback I received from friends and family of those shots made me wonder if I might have a bit of an eye for this thing.  However, it wasn't until I gave birth to Miss Sugar that things got CRAZY!  Some would jump to the assumption that it was entirely Sugar Bear that initiated this passion, but I beg to differ.  It was the introduction of not only the bested model in the world, but my very first DIGITAL camera.  It was like giving me a free ticket to PLAY.  No more spendy film, and waiting to see if what you had done worked.  Instead, I could snap shot after shot after shot, and get IMMEDIATE satisfaction.  THAT, beyond a shadow of a doubt fueled the fire.  

At this time, because of my dearest Sugar Bear, I was conversing with other mommies online, and we were sharing photos, and suddenly, I was exposed to some really great photographers.  It made me want to learn more......do more.....get better.  Within a year of my first digital camera, I purchased a BETTER Point and Shoot camera.  This opened up my photography, as I was able to start learning (re-learning) about aperture and shutter speed.  I purchased Photoshop Elements, and started to search down online tutorials like a mad woman.  While I learned how to enhance my photos, I became more and more aware that I wanted a DSLR.  Back in June of 2007 I purchased my existing camera.  You can read about that agonizing experience HERE.  Corey and her money DO NOT part easily.  Luckily, I knew the moment I held my new camera in my hands that we'd have a long and satisfying relationship.  

I have surrounded myself with bloggers of varying talents, and skills.  Men and women that inspire me to stretch myself.  There are days when I gaze at the photographs of others and lament my inability to capture things as they do, but quickly I find my center, and know in my heart that I have my own talent, and this is MY journey.  I use their work to pull me further into who I am meant to be.  I am HERE right now, and that is good.  There is no place I'd rather be. 

I continue to learn about digital photography and the tools one can use to process the photos.  I still use Photoshop Elements (Terry, from Mom on Wheels, had inquired of this) and I love it.  While I sometimes dabble with some fun processing, I have found that my style is definitely simple, and I stick to the basics.  

Killlashandra, from Southwest Photographic Momentos, asked me what photoshoot has been my favorite, and why.  I'll be honest and say, I have changed my mind on how I'd answer this question at least three times, and that is only since beginning this post.  There are a handful of photoshoots that stand out in my mind as being extremely special to me, but for entirely different reasons.  Two of which I have already spoken about on this blog.  

First we have my first, and only (so far) maternity shoot.  There is just no other honor than capturing the amazing curve of an expectant mother.  I could photography maternity shots over and over and never fail to feel blessed.  In case you aren't in the mood to go see the original post, here are a few of my favorite shots from that session.

The other really meaningful photoshoot for me was last August when I had the opportunity to illustrate a moment in the mind of Corey, by taking Senior Portraits of my friend's son Mycoal.  This particular moment was huge for me, because everything about it, I had imagined, and bringing it to life was amazing.  Again, here are a few of my favorite shots from that day.

While no one in this particular post asked me if I ever intend on starting my own photography business, I am asked that fairly often.  The answer is complicated.  While I struggle with confidence issues, and a complete lack of business sense, I do hope that someday, when I have more time to give to such a project, without taking any precious time from my sweet Sugar Bear, I will dabble in the money making side of this sport.  I have a huge fear that the WORK side of it will suck the FUN side right out of it.  For now, I'm playing.....learning....snappin'!