So, in my journey of becoming a photographer...I started my business without a clue. Without a clue about my camera...and without a clue about business. :) I will have to laugh at some point & help teach others about things we get ourselves into without even seeking knowlege or research! :)
In my journey of "getting a clue" to use my natural gifted eye to make this a business...I took classes. LOTS OF THEM. (over 07-08) I have never in my life that I remember learned a lot from fiddling with things at home or reading books. I'm about hands-on practical application & understanding! If I can't teach someone else how to speak "camera" what good am I to help others pursue their dream? :) This is my thinking!
Well, it started with some simple languages from a great photographer called Me Ra Koh. "How blurry do you want your background"...I barely had a glimpse into what I really became to know! I didn't realize how much all this stuff plays into you making a photo - itz actually quite amazing to have terms now for what I was doing all along. This was 2006.
"WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED SMALL BUSINESS?"
I went to CTI in 06-07 to plan for the business side of things. There are just way too many details about starting & KEEPING a business going. Photographers? Take a business class! If you are a hobbyist? You are free & clear, but there is so much information you need to know when starting & keeping a biz going. :)
"WHY DO I GOTTA TAKE A PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS!!!???!!!"
:::::::learning the photography language::::::::::
I went LIVE in 2007 with the passion in my heart and NO knowlege whatsoever about working with people. Over those next 2 years (with much resistence, stubborness) I took any class I could find that was relevant to what I needed to know. I took basic, intermediate, portrait, still life, flash, architecture, studio. I did all this in continuing education all over the metroplex. You get a lot of info in a smaller amount of time and teachers that do care about teaching you as well. This was 2007-2008. I ask you WHY? I ask you why not. Do you think you will get a medal for sitting at home being frustrated because you can't get this picture you really really want without photoshop? That is LAME, you need to learn your camera people! Invest the TIME to find the technical knowlege. You won't regret it. You invest in your passions. That is just how it goes. Talk to anyone who EVER worked in film...you dont' get no take-backs! It is what it is and I know some of us take photoshop & editing for granted to "fix" what we cannot get in our camera. You know what, LEARN your camera and learn about photography - find your own way!
"WAIT, DID YOU JUST SAY YOUR WERE AN INTROVERT????"
To be honest, by nature I'm introverted and have to force myself to talk & reach out. Every time I speak publicly people don't believe me because I do have a sense of humor and I can tell stories & talk. But most of the time, when I make friends I don't approach people first unless I feel a deeeeeep desire to. :) Most people laugh this off and just say "oh jen". No, really. :) You can ask anyone I went to high school with...I was quiet...and by some ppl considered "snobby". (well, i remember one guy said that!) But I was simply in my own world and had my one friend there I could talk to. But what brought me out of myself was being on a basketball team! Odd huh! I don't know what came over me to do it, but I did it and felt such teamwork, I felt accepted and automatically 5 days a week you are huffing & puffing working out & drilling together - getting to know each other & have fun. I got to know people by doing things I wouldn't normally do and putting myself in places I would not normally be.
Marketing myself AND talking to people is NOT one of my strengths! However is a great thing to work on....RIGHT??????????
"BUT I HAVE A DREAM, SO I DON'T GIVE UP!!!!"
I say all this to say this - I'm doing things I don't normally do or feel like doing...to push past myself (a big boundary) to be all I can be. A voice to this world right here & right now. I will do this in any form I wish to! I will speak when I need to. I will teach when I need to. I will photograph when I need to. I'm learning to flow in all the gifts I've been given. And yes, one of them can be SILENCE. :) I observe, I watch.
"NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT THE HARD WORK!"
In knowing myself...that is a goal in my life ...to KNOW myself. I don't want to pretend to be something I'm not and pretend I don't have issues and my life is "perfect".
No one wants to hear about the hard work...the alone times where you are bombarded with insecurities about ANYTHING. You only see what you want to see. But I know I choose to see the good, bad & ugly - accept that it is all there....AND also choose to focus on the positive & strong aspects of my life. HOWEVER, I also invite the challenges to my weaknesses. Just ask me how i'm challenged photographically, and I will tell you. :)
Thus, the pink hair. ;) It brings me out of myself. :)
Just a little insight today about me, a dreamer, a photographer, an encourager.
Know that you are not alone.
Let's go to wonderland.
This is me yesterday at the grand opening/open house of the new W building at Brookhaven College. I've been really blessed to remain friends with my teacher Mr. Martinez and have found that we all have something in common, WE LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY full time. baby!!!!! I have no other job to think about that matter to me more than my business...my love...my passion....
youre an inrovert.. never would have guessed... your work is very extrovertish! Lol ~ Jenrene
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