Photography is a way of viewing the world different from everyone else. I used to take a point and shoot camera with me everywhere I went. I remember that it was a small Canon gray camera. I used to think I was the coolest thing ever taking photos of everything and anything.
Then one day when I was about the age of 12, I discovered that my parents had a top of the line (for its time) DSLR Canon Rebel t3i. Man was this an upgrade from that little point and shoot. Do you mean to tell me that I can actually change the lenses and focal lengths on this thing? WOW! So my friends and I went out and I shot my very fist photo shoot ever. (Looking back, I cannot help but think "what in the hell were we thinking?!") I remember that even after we were done taking "model" pictures, I decided to take some photos of my moms flower gardens. I still have the very first flower photo that I had ever shot.. Again it was pretty rough.
I never stopped taking pictures, from the day I discovered that DSLR, my journey as a photographer began. I would wander around the yard and housing and take pictures of every little thing. Not because it meant something, but because I was able to learn from each and every thing that I shot. Eventually a while later, I ran out of things to shoot. That's right, I shot every object, every fiber, ever speck, every flower, every blade of grass, ect. that there was to shoot.
I decided to try to work with people more. As me and my best friend shared a love for cameras, and a love for photos, she because my model for good. We would take hundreds of pictures in under an hour and then go and play with them in the latest free online editing sites. I soon began to reach out to my other friends, and it came to a point where every time that I spent time with my friends, we spent a large chunk of it taking pictures. I saw myself improving with every round of shoots.
Eventually I grew an interest in sports pictures. I would go to all of the middle school sporting events that you can imagine. From wrestling to cheer-leading, I was at it all behind that 75-200 mm lens. Boy was I proud to be that person that people would ask for a picture from.
As time went on, I was being asked for pictures left and right. It really sparked something inside of me, and from then on I had decided that I was going to be a professional photographer one day.
I began to take pictures for clubs, extra curricular, events, and much more in high school. I joined classes and clubs that allowed me to use and show off my skills to teachers and other peers. One of the clubs that I participated in called BPA (Business Professionals of America) allowed me to not only show my local peers my work, but allowed me to share it with the nation. I placed 18th in the entire nation!
It was nearing senior year at this point and I had people reaching out to be all over to take their senior pictures for them. I felt very blessed to have so many people reaching out to me to capture something that they would cherish for the rest of their lives. Taking senior pictures really sparked my interest in portrait photography as I learned an extreme amount about so much more than I had ever known was a part of photography before. This opened up a whole new world for me. From location, to lighting and posing to post processing most of my skills that I hold today are thanks to the abilities I had to take these pictures.
Upon graduating high school, I was still dead set on being a professional; photographer. Due to health, I actually had to end up fast tracking my first semester of senior year and graduate a semester early. I had to quickly decide what to go to school for and where to apply. As a result of this, I ended up going to school for business management and administration at a community college. I figured that I could still use this degree to have my own business legitimate once I earned it. Unfortunately I fell from my practice and my health became worse. It really took a toll on me because I was missing out on chances to take my passion to the next level of a career. I would do shoots here and there but really began to notice myself losing my skills.
Eventually I began to book more shoots and practice more with the very same person I began using as a model. I still noticed that I was not at the level that I wanted to be at. So after riding the bench for a while, with a lot of thoughts on my mind of how I could improve myself, I decided to take a big step. I did loads of research, practiced post process on old pictures, watch endless videos, and read many many reviews. My mind was going wild with ideas and dreams. I was itching for something to happen with it all.
I decided that I was going to throw a little more fuel on the fire that I have always had lit inside of me and get off that bench to continue the path that would take me to my dreams. I made what I consider to be a large and risky purchase. After being a part of the Canon team for my entire journey as a photographer thus far, I decided to dabble into the Sony world. I purchased the Sony a7ii and so far it has been one of the best decision that I have ever made as a photographer. I have this fire in me burning stronger than ever before and this new Sony camera has allowed me to take my skills to the next level. Eventually I plan to begin traveling and my ultimate goal is to become a freelance photo journalist.
I hope that you are all able to join me if you have not already on this journey as I get the wheel turning again and show this world what I have to bring! Thank you to all of you have continued to support me throughout the almost 9 years of learning, judging, growing and loving. Photography is my sure fire passion, and I will not stop until I am at the top this time. I cannot wait to show you all what I have! Again thank you for the support, and I hope that you will continue to follow me along, even if it be from the sidelines. I am so exciting to see what and where this brings me!