Defining Moment
A fellow Blogger – David Pasillas – and I have recently started talking. I originally contacted him for some insights on iphoneography for an upcoming post (teaser!), but anyone who knows me can attest, the conversation rarely stops there. David’s work impressed me, so our chatting began. 🙂
On Friday of last week he asked me how long I had been doing photography professionally. The answer, I’m afraid, is complicated.
I remember my first ‘paid’ gig (gas money and a gift card to a Chinese food restaurant)….but did my newfound reporting status with the IRS make me a pro? You know there are professionals out there right now shaking their head no. Vigorously. Haha And they would be right! I had a lot left to learn about both the art and business of photography.
I do truly believe that this is one of those crafts (like most things in life) that will continue to evolve, especially with the rapid pace of technology. (Before you know it, we will be capturing hologram-photos!) So while I don’t ever feel I will master every aspect of photography, I do think my defining professional moment was when I made the decision to take this seriously a few years back.
Being more than a hobbyist meant putting in long hours, developing a thick skin for rejection, and possibly carpal tunnel from all of the social networking required in today’s photography environment. 😉 It meant stepping outside of my comfort zone. It meant buckling down and learning, even if it seemed intimidating (I’m not a gear person, and dangit, there is so much photography stuff out there!). It means reading, staying current with topics, watching blogs, watching webcasts, talking the talk, walking the walk and making friends with the people of our photo-world…aka YOU!
What about you, friends? Do you remember your first paid gig? Do you have a moment that stands out to you as something that helped defined who you currently are?
SeeingSpotsPhoto.com 
My first paid gig was commercial photography. It came up randomly for a friend of a friend. I drove 200 miles to the bay area to shoot a huge machine that makes synthetic DNA. So cool! I was offered more work, but haven’t done any commercial work since then.
I’m a total geek about that stuff…so…THAT’S SO COOL!!! Did they clone your camera? 😉
Can you count dinner as payment? I had just purchased my Canon T2i and was asked to shoot a wedding as a favor. I totally screwed it up. Most shots were overexposed. But I did get food. Lots of food!!
Hahahaha in my book, food is a very acceptable payment! Yum!
Love the lighting !
Thank you! Just one hot light did the trick for that shot!
🙂 Nice 🙂