Christmas is just about 48 hours away and as a photographer, it is time to relax and remember the last year. As quick as 2011 came in, it left too! Although I didn't accomplish as much as I would have wanted to, I did accomplish more than I would have hoped (which is a great opportunity for a starting Photographer).
This time last year I was developing myself as a photographer. My daughter was just about 6, almost 7 months old and my point-and-shoot camera was always being pulled out. I was always trying to catch a glimpse of my 'baby' before she grew up!
In the meantime, a good friend at that time suggested I check out some photography books from the local library. She made the point of saying that the books are free to rent (unless of course you're late returning them) and that you get them for at least a good month (and more if you renew) and being a stay-at-home mom at the time I had the perfect opportunity to read more about my new and growing hobby. In the meantime I did land a small job in my local town and I still had the weekends to expand my photography experience, practice and knowledge.
By the time spring came, my graduating high school offered a 'Beginner Photography' class that was roughly about 8 weeks long. Each week we touched on important aspects of photography, as well as worked hands on with different photography experiences. We talked about Portrait Photography, Landscape Photography, as well as rule of thirds, and understanding the basics of camera knowledge, and of course much more! Although I still only had my point and shoot, the knowledge I gained was very helpful in the later months.
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| An example of Portrait Photography from my Photography Class |
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| My favorite Picture..this was captured right after my photography class. This is my son Everett and his Great Grandfather |
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| The Sunset during a practice session during my class |
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| Another fine example of Portrait Photography..capturing the different looks of wine bottles. |
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| Looking at a guide rail through my camera |
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| A picture of a fence with the sun beaming through the bars. |
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| Another beautiful sunset captured during class. |
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| A tribute to the flag |
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| A beautiful rainbow I captured |
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| What beautiful colors! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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The longer the class progressed, the better my photos showed for it. We took a trip to a local state park, and even journeyed into a local township park for some more photography practice! My insights on becoming a photographer were much more clear, and I was soon able to capture precious photos of my children and family. Although that was all I had at the time, I posted the pictures to Facebook and sat back and enjoyed the comments coming in.
I had wanted, and hoped to get a photo session for someone but I had no idea where to start or where to begin with starting that kind of process. I had looked at a few websites (which I felt were too pricey for me to charge with barely any experience, other than just my own family). and read Photography magazines, books, and other websites for information and insight. I tried a 'trail' name for myself (only to find out that I was one of more than 1,000 Photographer's with that same name), and tried building a website for myself. Although it was tricky, I worked on snowy days and my days off to furnish what I was hoping would become a true website for myself. For example, I wrote a little autobiography of myself as well as trying to find a way to get pictures from weddings and other things I had done and display them. The tricky part was trying to find a price (without over charging) and trying to find a way to set everything up on the site the way I wanted it. After about 4 or 5 months of my 'trial run', something happened to the website and I was literally locked out of the website. I couldn't remember the password, and because the site had updated and changed everything around my photography site looked outdated.
I took that step to really step up my photography as well as my advertizing and blogging. I finally had found a camera to invest in, and secured my very first session with a good friend of mine! What a pleasure it was!
As my last session was successful, I started working on my photography like crazy! Everything was a challenge to get a photo of! I am even apart of my local Photography Club, and one of my friends signed me up a weekly Photography Competition, and now it is always a challenge to find or take a picture of to submit to the competition every week. When the weather changes, the camera is out...when the kids are doing something special the camera comes out and it is even more fun!
This is where it all began. Photography is defiantly something that I absolutely LOVE! Not a day goes by that I don't wonder what I can get a photo of next or what next photo opportunity will come.
In 2012 I am looking forward to scheduling my first Engagement Session (and it excites me so much, I LOVE Photographing young couples!), I had the honor of Photographing my friends Amanda and Jason (shown above) AND my sister-in-law and her hubby for her Anniversary Party! I've also had a few 'Sister Sessions'..one with Amanda and her sister, and one with two sisters to a friend. Also in the upcoming year I am honored to be doing more maternity sessions AND newborn sessions! I am also hoping to get at least one wedding to do for someone, as well as hoping to capture some magical moments of Children. I'm hoping that more people will be more open to my growing experience as well as my open-mindedness of my photos. I enjoy watching people having fun and relaxing while their pictures are being done, it is much more personable and it is a better way bring yourself out in your photos.
I will continue to blog about this last year. There is so much to talk about! This is only the beginning....this is where my Photography Story began.
In my next blog I will talk more about life as a growing Photographer, how my skills have been furnished to my photography and my photography knowledge.
