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April 2008
4/27/08
Thank-You Betty!
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Sunday, April 27, 2008
11:06:00 AM EDT
It had all started with my high school journalism class, I wanted to be a writer. It was in effort to impress my dad who had at one time been an editor for the New York Times. However, the teacher felt differently and wanted me as a photojournalist and handed me the camera. At first, I'll admit I was mad that I was shoved off with a camera, I wanted to WRITE. Of course, now I realize it was a true blessing what the teacher did as I certainly can't write.
In fact I even contacted several photographers asking if they need an assistant (even offering my services for FREE) in order to learn the business. One photographer met up with me and asked me to bring the photos I had taken. He looked them over slowly and said I needed to show enlargements of my photos. I had a little album with 4x6 prints. What he said was something about the photos being good but, I really needed to make them BIG to impress prospective customers. He didn't hire me as I had hoped. But, that's okay, I made it on my own!
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11:06:00 AM EDT
Thank-You Betty!
Before I go any further, I wanted to publicly thank Betty for plugging ... pimping my Mamarazzi journal in Magic Smoke as the guest editor. I'm not very good at this - getting attention, that may very well be why I loved photography. I could be around others yet, I was "hiding" behind a camera. I belonged there if for nothing else to document what was happening.
It had all started with my high school journalism class, I wanted to be a writer. It was in effort to impress my dad who had at one time been an editor for the New York Times. However, the teacher felt differently and wanted me as a photojournalist and handed me the camera. At first, I'll admit I was mad that I was shoved off with a camera, I wanted to WRITE. Of course, now I realize it was a true blessing what the teacher did as I certainly can't write.
After my first day out with the camera, I quickly became hooked and addicted to the camera. Maybe it wasn't for the right reasons in the beginning. See, I, a very young teen, was sent to baseball, basketball and football games and swim meets where all the good looking cool guys were. I got to photograph them, I was part of the "crowd". Even if in reality I wasn't. They never noticed the terribly shy girl behind the camera.
During my junior/senior year in high school my teacher submitted some of my work in effort to help me get a scholarship for college photojournalism program. Due to circumstances I didn't get to go despite being offered some scholarship program. At that time, I wanted to join the Navy - again it was in effort to impress my dad who had served several years before having to retire due to medical issues. I never did join and that is another story for another time!
Several years passed with no camera and I just floundered around trying to find my place in life. Met a man (using the word loosely), married him and had three beautiful children. I got another camera and once again fell in love with my camera as it preserved my own memories of my precious babies. I remember showing people my babies and most often I had compliments on the photo then my baby! WT ... ! I was showing off my babies!!
Many of you know the rest of the story, others may not, so some of this is a repeat for some who come and visit me. About 5-6 years ago I met and married Sonny. His sister and her daughter (niece) were impressed with my photography and asked if I would photograph the nieces wedding. I said "NO WAY!" I could just imagine the rift if I screwed up on such an important day Eventually, I was "bribed" with the offer of a "big" memory card for my new digital camera.
I immediately started studying the work of other wedding photographers online. Saw things I liked, didn't like and then I went to the wedding prepared to do my best. I wasn't prepared for the adrenaline rush, the excitement of the day, and once again getting totally hooked and LOVING what I was doing. It was that moment that I told myself "I'm going to become a wedding photographer!" I didn't know HOW but, I knew it was in my future!
In fact I even contacted several photographers asking if they need an assistant (even offering my services for FREE) in order to learn the business. One photographer met up with me and asked me to bring the photos I had taken. He looked them over slowly and said I needed to show enlargements of my photos. I had a little album with 4x6 prints. What he said was something about the photos being good but, I really needed to make them BIG to impress prospective customers. He didn't hire me as I had hoped. But, that's okay, I made it on my own!
Anyway, this was supposed to be ashort entry in Mamarazzi to thank Betty. Once I realized how long winded I got (see I can't write!) I decided I'd bring the entry over to my chatty journal. Now I'm going back to Mamarazzi as I have a beautiful photo of my oldest granddaughter to share. :-) Did I mention I REALLY miss my family in VA?!?!?
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This entry has 13 comments: (Add your own)
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This is a wonderful story about your life!!! I so enjoyed it and have often been fascinated with photography myself!! LOL and if you know anything about me you will find out I often think I can do just about anything and have time for not everything I set out to do. Thank you so much for sharing. It's such an inspiring entry and yes, I think you write very nicely. Hugs,
Lisa -
How great to read about how your love for photography began! I'm glad you had a great time on your trip and wish you could have your Grandbaby with you forever :)
Pooh Hugs,
Linda -
We didn't have a school newspaper, but I volunteered for the yearbook committee and got assigned to a staff photographer job covering the school sporting events! LOL I wanted to major in art in college, but my parents refused to help me pay for school if I didn't pick a "real" major. So my photography fell by the wayside until years later. I got a new camera when I was preparing to take a trip with my future husband. Several cameras later, I had a new baby to photograph and friends raved about my photos. Several asked me to take pictures of their kids too. I've wanted to start a business doing children's photography, but I'm waiting until Max is a little older. :-)
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Your EYE don't LIE....LOL.
I've always admired that eye of yours.....keep snapping, Monica!!!
Hugs,
:) Carol
4/30/08 9:37 AM
xoxo