Like many people, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. At one point, I dreamed of becoming an entomologist, but my fear of bugs quietly "squashed" that dream ;) I then moved onto becoming a veterinarian, but my fear of needles and having to perform surgeries on furbabies "cut" that dream right out :) I finally decided at the ripe old age of ten that I was going to become a teacher. This career stuck with me the longest and I even went so far as to start my associates degree process of Elementary Education and wanting to teach Art. I have always loved art and being able to express myself through individual creativity. Paintings and sketches filled my notebooks. I could see something outside that looked so beautiful, earth's natural works of art and immediately visualize how it would look in a painting or a sketch. How I could amplify it's beauty. But it was in my first year of college that I took Psych 101 and absolutely fell in love. Figuring out why the world worked the way it did and how each and every moment in our lives affects us in some way. Thus leading to my BS in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. My ultimate goal was to make a difference in every single life that crossed my path, one way or another. Little did I know, I would later be combining these two passions into one thing that spoke to my heart the most, photography.
I have played with camera's for as long as I can remember. From Polaroids, to those underwater disposable camera's that were all the craze way back when. I wanted them all so that I could document all of life's beauties! I had loads and loads of film rolls that I would beg my mom to drop off and develop every week. And then beg for more rolls when I would go through the entire thing in one day! I grew up with a grandfather who was always behind a camera whether it be standard film or videotaping. I like to think this is where my passion to focus on all of those moments and memories comes from. I also like to think he watches over me and is proud of the gift that I have embraced. Fast forward to my adult years. I always knew I loved photography and wanted to be a photographer, but I wasn't quite sure how to go about this. I also had children whom I decided to devote my focus to and while I did have full time employment, I was always their mom first. So I put a pin in the dream and life went on. Later, after I met my second husband (yes, I am also a divorcee-but this is not defining) I began to realize my priorities were shifting. My children were getting older and more self-sufficient. They didn't need so much of my time and attention anymore, so I searched for little hobbies hear and there. I also had a husband who has always loved and supported my creativity and knew how much I loved photos. We even went on photography dates where we would go to random locations and take as many creative pictures as we could. He is my soulmate and I am blessed to have found such a person to compliment and enhance who I am. He is the one who bought me my first official DSLR camera and I never looked back, now almost 5 years ago.
While I am a fairly new photographer by professional standards, I have a long history with photography and what it means to freeze a moment in time. Upon receiving my first "real" camera, I began investing in my knowledge of photography via extensive research, online courses and seminars, & working hands on with friends and family. Once I created my foundation and became more sound in my abilities, I began my career as a professional photographer. I am so very grateful to have the husband that I do, as well as a family who has been fully supportive and children who think it's just the "bee's knees" to do what I do. Whom are also tapping into their own creativity and finding that maybe they could one day see themselves behind the lens. If I can pass one thing on to them, i hope that it is perseverance. Had I given up on this the first time life through something my way that made things even remotely difficult, I would not be here today capturing all of your life's moments.
(Photo taken with: my cell phone lol By: well, Me, selfie-style. Sporting my favorite "The Office" sweatshirt and a nifty mug a dear friend purchased for me :) )
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