I just finished another class and it was phenomenal. For a small fee, I spent over seven hours with some of my industry's leaders. Sandy Puc is probably the best known photographer guru that built her business from her kitchen to a 10,000+ sf studio with 40 employees. Jerry Ghionis has been named one of the top five wedding photographers in the world. And they, just like so many photographers, were excited to share some of their secrets and tools. I am forever grateful.
Why? Because today I am better than I was yesterday and extremely better than a year ago. How? I've pursued any and all the information I could, practiced what I've learned and hopefully, shared what has been beneficial. There are no options if I want to be the best.
I remember in high school just dying to be a part of Future Teachers of America. Man, that looked like so much fun and teaching had to be a really important career. Photography was such a passion but my practicality, and limited knowledge, prevented me from pursuing it until I ran out of options. Plus, I was told I was not "teacher" material. I didn't have the grades and probably the talent. How sad. I will stand firm that "they" were wrong. Here's why.
I may not of had the skills to repeat the academic course information that I was supposed to have learned. Of course, that probably included studying - not memorizing - and believe me, that just didn't happen unless it was something I was super intrigued by. No one understood I saw things differently. Literally. Sometimes, like majic, there would be a word that just didn't fit, but hey, I wasn't the author so I guess it meant that I wasn't smart enough to understand what the author was conveying. Later, I discovered I have dyslexia or as we refer to it "aixelsyd".
Through the years, when I was desperate to learn or understand something, I developed tools, tricks, and techniques to help me learn and man, have I been learning.
BTW: Where is the book for parenting? I seem to have not received mine with my children. Now, I believe the Bible has excellent instructions for living one's life, but I needed specifics on potty training, entertaining a sick child, and when to loosen the reigns on a teenager. I noticed there wasn't a day that I hadn't had the necessity to teach them something. Wait! I wasn't teacher material, right? So how could I have taught them anything? Hmmmmm.
Then there was that wonderful time as a Youth Minister and those lessons were vital. Probably the only time some of them would ever hear how much God loved them and where to find answers to their questions. Again, no book to tell me. Yet, 56 students are still as important to me today as they were during the application lessons where earth, water, wind, and laughter brought home the message that life was messy, bountiful, refreshing, and entertaining.
I have studied - without anyone pushing - for the past year to be certified as a Professional Photographer (CPP). Long before I saw the support forum I was doing everything I could to gain the confidence and respect to know my craft and be the best I could be. Maybe not Ghionis or Puc big, but Kimla big.
The first time I took the test, I missed by two points! Crushing yet comforting. I knew why I had failed. I took my time, answered all the questions I was certain of and marked the ones that needed more thought. When I had gone through all 100, I started back on each one I had marked. Finished with just over 20 minutes to spare. I mean this was important.
As I walked up to the proctor, they reviewed my info and then came the devastation, "You didn't answer these three." They were on the bottom of the left half of the answer sheet. I quickly grabbed a new answer sheet and made a mad dash to "re-answer". I had to review each question again, and reconcile the answer sheet. Time ran out when I had 20 questions to go. Turned it in and was grateful for the results that I missed by two! This gave me the confidence to re-test and use a new technique to ensure I am answering correctly. Dang "Aixelsyd".
I am not stupid. Ignorant only because I haven't been exposed to all the information, but not stupid. That just cuts away at self-esteem. Do all you can to know all you can about anything you do. Whether it is parenting, a profession, or a passion. Then, do what you can for who you can when you can. I promise life will be so much sweeter.
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| We were experimenting with dramatic stobe lighting. She's an actress and about to go to college to pursue her dream. |
Here is a recent photo of a wonderful friend that I have been working with for the past year.
This is the first photo I ever took of her:
 | | "It's the pursuit that makes being better fun." |
| We used natural light only and Photoshop. We both needed portfolio material. |
