In high school, our senior project was a “then & now” scrapbook in which we collected photos of our childhood and compared them to photos we had taken throughout high school. We answered tons of questions about both stages of life so that we could compare them all and see the changes that had taken place. Recently, I came across that scrapbook when moving in to our new place and decided to take time to flip through it. Towards the back, there was a section dedicated to future goals.
What do you want to be doing with your life in ten years? “I’m going to be a photographer,” I wrote.
It’s funny that I came across that, I had forgot that there was something that I actually wanted to be when I grew up other than rich. Even funner, in my 18 year old mind, I thought that I had achieved this when I worked as a photographer for a Picture People studio in the local mall.
So, I happen to stumble upon this scrapbook in my garage right in the midst of considering a twelve week photography class. God answering my prayers asking for direction? I think so.
Thing is, I’ve always loved taking photos, but I have absolutely no formal photography education. What basic fundamentals I do know are self taught via a stack of books, magazines, blogs and Professor Google. Last January, I was out shopping during the day and impulsively bought my first DSLR. Actually, I blogged about it here and as you can see from the very first SOOC {Straight Out Of Camera, aka unedited} shots, I had noooo clue as to what I was doing.
Over the past year, I’ve improved my skill a little. I often get tons of comments on the blog asking me what camera or lens I use. Honestly, as you can see in the photo from the link above, it’s just a cheap, entry-level Nikon D5000 and I shoot with a kit lens {18-55mm VR} {sad, I know} I’m actually doing a post later this week about why it doesn’t matter what camera or glass you’re using, you can still get good photos.
Anyway…
For the first several months, I was shooting solely on Auto. But I tend to be one of those “if you’re going to go, go all out” personalities, which meant that if I bought this camera, I’m going to learn HOW to use to actually be able to create photos, not just take snap shots… because anyone can do that. So, with a little reading, I dug deep in to things that, at first, seemed overwhelming and scray. Things like the exposure triangle; aperture, shutter speed & ISO. Then, I learned about composition, perspective, and lighting. This was all in just the first day of reading.
Eventually, I eased in to shooting on aperture priority and shutter priority. Then, finally, I made the jump to shooting in manual. I had myself so nervous about it that I held myself back for a while, fearing that everything would turn out as blown out blurs of white light. Happily, this was not the case.
So, for the last nine months or so, I’ve been content taking mediocre photos of my cats, coffee, food… just things in my daily life that end up here on the blog.
But… {you knew there’d be a but, right?}
I’m not happy with mediocre. Again, it’s the “if you’re gonna go, go all out” thing. So, I signed up for that twelve week photography class. Happily, it’s not a beginner class– I’m better suited in the intermediate group due to my grasp of the basic concepts covered in the beginner class.
This morning was the first day of class. !!
The first thing that I learned?
“You are not a photographer. Write that down.“
I’m thinking, “Well, duh. Why do you think I’m here?“
We’re then referred to the website youarenotaphotographer.com, which has the tagline “You Can’t Buy Talent.” Good point. This site posts photos daily from self-proclaimed “photography businesses” that take absolutely horrendous photos. Well, okay, to be honest.. they’re not all absolutely horrendous… some are just plain snap shots that a monkey with a camera could have taken. Point is, they shouldn’t be calling themselves “photographers” and charging people money for their photos. The photographers are apparently people who went out, bought a DSLR, slapped the kit lens on and immediately opened up shop. We did a slideshow of them during class and it was a mix of complete shock and hysterical laughter.
The whole thing reminded me of something I had heard a photographer say before; “Just because you have a guitar doesn’t mean you’re Jimi Hendrix, just like just because you have a DSLR doesn’t make you a photographer.” That always stuck with me. It caused to me stress to people when they asked about the camera around my neck that I’m what I call a hobby photographer– I just take pictures of my family, friends, events, my cats, my house, etc. With the exception of somehow actually being published in Oxygen Fitness magazine and a local Charlotte magazine {didn’t get paid for either,} the photos that I take are just used here on the blog or hung on my walls. No big.
But I think I want to change that. I want to learn how to create incredible photos that capture emotion, I want to document life.
I’m not talking about learning how to pose people and counting before I hit the shutter… I’m talking about making still a moment in time when a person is just being themselves and, because they’re just themselves, they’re really happy… not fake cheese-y, “look at the camera” happy. When I think about this kind of thing, I immediately think of Michelle Waters, the photo artist that captured my engagement, boudoir and wedding photography. To this day, I cannot flip through our wedding album without choking up at the beauty of the moments that it displays. And it’s not just because it’s me in those photos… so many of her galleries with complete strangers evoke the same emotion.
Some may think it’s a little crazy to take on a new venture when I’m already quite successful in building my freelance career. While I do love what I do, there’s always been the sense that something was missing. Something deep inside was poking at me, but I continued to deny it. For many years, I suppressed the photography career idea because I felt like I could be so much more than “just a photographer…” I felt like that wasn’t an accomplishment or a real job, it was something anyone could do. Clearly, I haven’t thought that way for some time now. I’ve come to realize that it’s an art with which takes a great deal of talent, education and passion to become successful.
Also, I think that it’s because I finally grew up and stopped caring what people thought of me based upon what title I have. Who knows, being wildly successful and happy could have played a part in that, too. ;)
I guess what I’m saying is that I want to be a photographer.
I’m excited to see where this class takes me. I’m already perusing an entire list of available workshops to take along the way as well. Full speed ahead!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
P.S. – In related news, don’t forget that today is DAY 1 on the SPRING Into Action Photo Challenge that I’m helping out with on SITS! You can use any camera {even your phone} to learn how to take better pictures for your blog {or wherever} It’s free, fun, and you’ll learn tons! Check out my blog post from this weekend with all the details. Read today’s lesson and the first challenge here. I’ll see you over there!
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