My Mom Says I Am "Something Else"
In this case, I would say that is a good thing
My interest in photography began when I was 13 -- that curious age when your interest in life expands and you tend to do some pretty embarrassing things. (Something I haven't entirely grown out of, as you can see.) Developing an interest in photography was one of my rare, non-embarrassing things.
My first camera was a Kodak Easyshare point and shoot. It started joining me everywhere I went. A lot of my pictures were blurry, grainy, off-focused, boring, and just plain horrible. But somewhere along the way people began to tell that my pictures were actually... good. They didn't tell me in that go-try-out-for-American-Idol (tee-hee-hee) sort of way, but actually meant it. And meanwhile, I was really enjoying life behind the lens.
My first camera was a Kodak Easyshare point and shoot. It started joining me everywhere I went. A lot of my pictures were blurry, grainy, off-focused, boring, and just plain horrible. But somewhere along the way people began to tell that my pictures were actually... good. They didn't tell me in that go-try-out-for-American-Idol (tee-hee-hee) sort of way, but actually meant it. And meanwhile, I was really enjoying life behind the lens.
When I was 15, my parents got me a Canon Rebel XT: this camera opened up a whole new world of "real zoom," changeable lenses and a terrifying plenitude of camera settings. These things overwhelmed me, but by then I was hooked. Out came the library cards, and away went my "normal" teenage free time. I consumed manual after tutorial after magazine -- anything that would piece together some of the puzzle pieces of photography. My first commissioned work was doing a friend's senior pictures. I was 15 then, and still didn't completely know how to work my new Christmas present. After that, word of mouth began providing me with some great learning experiences, and my family gave me even more incredible photo opportunities across the States while on family vacations (check our my "Travel" tab for examples!). If I had to summarize my situation now... Photography and I are in a serious relationship. (I would even consider it Facebook Official.) Researching equipment, lenses, filters, Photoshop tutorials and professional advice go hand-in-hand with brushing my teeth and studying for my next exam. And while I am fascinated by the theory behind quality images, to me, it still comes down to being able to artistically recognize what is around you. Why do I ultimately love photography? I love it because it is so powerful. Photography conveys messages and meanings that are, at times, ineffable. It allows me to capture an emotions, whether in a landscape or in a stranger on the sidewalk, and then turn around and induce those same feelings, or new ones, in others. Beauty, fear, heartbreak, anger, apathy, passion, loneliness, hope... Name something, and there's a good chance that it can be recognized with a camera. |
The first picture I ever took...When I was this old. |
Apart from photography, I have a few other amores: the Lord, music, writing, Spanish and travel. My relationship with Jesus Christ trumps all of my other interests and passions, including photography. (Eternity will last a lot longer than any of my pictures will.) He is more important to me, even though often I neglect to act like it. He is my Savior, and the one who gave me my talents; every "Whoa!" goes to Him!
I like music nearly as much as I like food. And that says a lot. My favorite genres are contemporary Christian and Latin reggaeton, which leads me to the fact that I adore everything Spanish. Spanish accents, Spanish culture, Spanish people, Spanish places. You get the point. I currently attend Michigan State University for Photojournalism and Spanish (who would've guessed?) GO GREEN! I love art, and photography is my medium. Let me know if I can help you out! |