A lot of people ask me how long Ive been photographing for or how I got into photography, so heres a story: I took my first landscape photographs at the age of 12 when I traveled to St. Lucia. I didnt think it was a big deal at the time, but I look at those photographs now and think, Geeze how can a twelve-year-old take a photograph like that?! And yes, I will dig up those pictures for you and scan them in (they were on film.) I first started taking photographs of all my friends and myself around the age of 13. I had always had an artistic eye (my teachers tell me) but was not particularly good at drawing, painting, or any other form of studio art I had tried. At first I didnt take photographs very seriously-- I just wanted to take pictures of everyone I loved because that was the year I discovered how short life can be when my best friend passed away. I never took any pictures of him. I made my first camera at the age of 14 with a Quaker oatmeal tube (pinhole camera.) I was trained in the darkroom and did not make the switch to digital (professionally) until I was about 17. I went on to study photography in college, where I learned how to work medium and large format cameras and develop photographs on fiber paper (can take up to two hours to process one picture), and also where I was trained professionally in Adobe Photoshop and Bridge. I received my bachelors degree in Art, Media & Design with a concentration in Photography and a minor in Art History in 2012 from DePaul University in Chicago. Chicago is where my photography exploded-- I was surrounded by art museums, a beautiful city and creative people that helped shape the artist I am today. While in college, I studied abroad and lived in Dublin, Ireland for four months. Throughout that period in my life I traveled as much as I could afford to throughout Europe, which has greatly contributed to how I photograph landscapes and cityscapes today. Not everyone has had my experience when they learned how to take photographs. I know plenty of people who have learned differently and did not go to school for it at all-- this is what makes photographers different. We all have our own style and pick up tricks from each other along the way. Oh, and there really is no difference between Nikon and Canon when it comes to digital photography-- we just harsh on people who dont use our brand as a way of bantering and flirting with each other. You do not need formal training to be a photographer; you need talent, knowledge, and most of all experience. If you hire a photographer because of the better price, you are just getting what you pay for. I, alike most photographers, want to take pictures and will work with a client to find the best possible way to fit their budget. I am not cheap but I know my worth, and most people that photograph with me tend to be repeat customers because I work with them to meet their specific needs. These days Im finishing my masters degree in Digital Media Management at Northeastern University where I have broadened my talents to marketing, communications, branding and more. The truth is Im not sure what Im going to do with this degree yet because it opens my career possibilities to just about every market and new jobs in digital media is developing every day, from social media to art direction. So when I lose a client because they went to someone for the better price, I am not offended because I know what Im worth.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 19:29:49 +0000