So, I'm really putting myself out here with this one...
Two years ago, when I picked up my husband's little Canon Rebel XS and started taking pictures of cats and flowers, I was completely clueless about photography. Most of my pictures were just okay at best - blurry around the edges, too dark, horizons all over the place. I never, ever thought anyone would want me to take their picture. Much less offer to pay me.
This photography thing has taught me a whole lot about the world. About people, about their stories, about what is most important in life. I never expected to fall in love with portraiture. I'm a classic introvert - and people, while I love them, scare me just a little. Did I ever think I would be anything but an amateur photographer? No, and I even wrote a blog post about that just a couple months ago. I was never going to be a professional photographer. No way. Not for me.
But, here's the thing:
Sometimes your plan, and God's plan, are two different things.
People started emailing me and texting me, asking me if I would take their pictures. I made excuses, saying I'm not good enough, that I just do photography for fun. I took a few friends' pictures for free, just because I love them. Everybody else, I referred on, and kept taking pictures of cats and flowers.
But, the truth is - I had caught a bug for taking pictures of people, for seeing their soul through the lens of my camera. And then one of my pictures was picked up by a local magazine (you'll see that next month) and I figured out that Serendipity was calling my name. And why not? Serendipity led me to my day job, which I'm still passionately in love with, and have no plans of quitting.(Rest easy, hair clientele!)
I have several shoots in the next few weeks which will really test my chops. I still have a lot to learn. I expect I will be learning the rest of my life.
I'm not going to try to change the world or get famous for my photography. I'm not doing weddings, and I'm not doing this every day. But I am now "semi" pro. And as terrifying as that is to say, all signs say go.
If you'd like to check out my new photography site, I'd be flattered. You can find it here.
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