Capture

In a way, I think photography is a lot like music.  It is like a simple click captures a moment in time that can never be repeated.  I love capturing that moment, and I have been told that I have a pretty good eye for it.  If I hadn't found my place in music or working with children, I think I would have become a photographer.  

My first taste of photography came with my seasonal job at a chain of photography studios aimed at children and families.  I received training regarding the technical aspects of photography as well as photo editing, lab work, and sales.  However, I would say about %80 of the job was working with children--any children, with or without the parents' assistance.  I could not even tell you how many times some seemingly cute kid and parents came into the studio and become the most exhausting customers imaginable.  "Why is my baby not smiling?  He smiles at home.  Lets try this or this...."  And of course they complain when the prints of their 3-month old come out on the sales floor and none include that award winning smile.  I have to think to myself, "Lady, if you couldn't get your kid to smile, what did you expect of me?"  Oh, and there are always those parents who have no control over their little monsters who put up a stink when the photos are terrible because their little darlings are defiant little boogers who won't listen to a thing I or their parents say.  And trust me, I was always more than willing to be a little silly or put forth quite a bit of effort to get a kid to smile.  Those working in daycare really came in handy, but these parents were completely ridiculous.  I've also worked with a few insanely demanding parents who expect their young children to sit and pose like models.  It took only one session of glamor shots for a pageant mom to drive me up the wall and want to put her in time out for talking to her four-year-old as if she was simply worthless.  My favorite part of the job was showing some proud parents adorable and beautiful images of their children or family and watching their expressions.  It was almost as if I was reminding them how blessed they were and how soon these moments would slip away and their children would be grown.  I hated seeing them devastated leaving photos behind, but what can you do?  You may be thinking, "Not everyone is like that," and yes, you are right.  Many families come in with normal children and things go pretty well, but that doesn't make a good story now does it?

I've traveled quite a bit for my age as well, so I love taking landscape photos as well.  With a decent point and click camera you can take pretty decent photos, but I am pretty picky.  I would like to think I've taken some pretty good ones, but I'll let you be the judge of that.  As soon as we get more settled in our apartment we plan to enlarge some of my photos and hang them.  I would love to try some black and whites of everyday objects or landscapes to replicate Ansel Adams (you should Google him).  I think the contrasts can be so striking.  We'll see what comes of that.  

Lastly, I would love to take some photography classes and read up on technique, camera settings, and styles, but of course, there is no time for that now.  I hope to one day do freelance photos and have my own studio.  Nothing crazy, just children, families, seniors and such.  A girl can dream...