OK, so it wasn't a camera (maybe I was hiding from my Mom but...these are memories :D ) this is me and my sisters after making a HUGE mess. I am in the middle here. My poor Mom. I appreciate all that she did for us growing up. Thanks Mom! I bet you still remember this like it was yesterday!!
I am trying to answer the question, when did you become a photographer? Not for anybody, but for my own journey.
I would have to say, I think I have always been in love with taking photos. But, growing up in the 70's, 80's and 90's I would say I wouldn't think that I could become a photographer. I don't know if I was not paying attention in school? But when I remember back over 20 years, it seemed that the only viable options for careers for me were, nurse, realtor, teacher, dental assistant, secretary. Go to university. Those are the options I remember from a career fair at our high school. They didn't really interest me all that much.
If I could go back, I would have learned more about photography. I took a block or two of photography in grade 11 and 12. I was enrolled in a print production career prep course that spanned two years. I am thankful that my parents guided me into that program. Going into a new high school (as we moved between grade 10 and 11) I was able to take art in my Dad's class. That was really cool to do. And cool that I was allowed to be in his class as a student!
I think I have always been a photographer. I am a very visual person, and had this digital age come about before the birth of my first born in 1999. I bet you I would have done more with a camera. I was a bit scared of digital photography I have to admit. It was fear of the unknown. But, the more I played with the digital camera, the more I enjoyed it. I could take some risks, and if they didn't work out. Delete. Delete. Delete. And the cost wasn't so high to develop the film camera. I could pick and choose my images to develop. So, as my confidence grew using that first digital, I slowly, phased away from my cheap film camera. It became a toy to my kids. And I moved to digital. A great, and freeing choice to make.
I am thankful that I have MANY albums from my childhood (I was first born) and that I have taken lots of photos of my family. My hubby only has a few photos from his childhood. I feel bad for him. Our kids LOVE to look at his baby photos.
I guess I would have to say the photographer in my family would be my Dad. He had a film SLR camera, and that is the same camera I used in high school to shoot my projects with. I really wished I would have kept my images from high school. My Dad took hundreds of great slides of our growing family. He also took photos of me in my grad dress with my then date. When he (the old boyfriend/fiance) broke up with me I ripped him out of all of the photos. Now looking back, I wished I could have had a seniors session. All on my own. I would have liked to have seen me in grade 12. Feeling on the top of the world. The wrinkle free, frown free version of me!
That fresh flower, ready to open and bloom as my Dad used to say. How I wish I had more images of myself and the fun times in my life. But, as I have said before, I am a visual person. Thankfully I keep a lot of those memories inside of my head. I just love how an image can instantly bring you back to that moment in time. I wish that I could have had my own camera to capture more memories in high school. I just wished I would have tried a bit harder, studied a bit more. It took the birth of six children to come to this conclusion!
It is NEVER too late to get started on anything that you are passionate about! Remember this!
So, I have my Dad to thank for loaning me his camera (and passing on creativity to me) and also to thank my late Father-in-Law for buying that first digital camera when Cameron was born, almost 10 years ago. Both such important men in my life.
For the past thirteen plus years I have had Cliff in my life. Two years dating, and eleven years married. Thankfully for me, this wonderful man in my life supports all of my dreams. He pushes me forward when I feel like a failure. He catches my heart, when it cries out. I have so much to be thankful for in my life. He continually moves me forward. When I feel like giving up or quitting when the going gets tough. He gets me back on track. Not allowing me the chance to fail.
I am glad we had all of these beautiful kids, as they have been the best subjects to photograph and to learn with. Without the kids, I wouldn't have had those maternity photos done. And, I am thankful that I could use their Barbie dolls to photograph when I was too nervous to photograph my first practice boudoir session. And I wouldn't have met my most special friends/photography friends in the process. They have been so important to me. And I am forever thankful for them all. Thank you Jillian, Carol, Sarah and Kristy. All such awesome photographers! Each and every one of them following their dreams too.
As we move closer to the month of August, I am thankful that I have been so blessed to have shot my first boudoir session on August 29th, 2008. And haven't stopped shooting since. It has been such a very exciting time in my life. I never knew that I could feel so creative again, and also be able to raise my kids at the same time. Such a great feeling. All with lots of help that I am grateful for along the way. I couldn't do it without my support team.
I strive to keep on growing, learning and photographing the most wonderful and beautiful clients. Many whom have which have grown to be really great friends! I am thankful that too.
August 1st *fingers crossed* changes will be coming! I am just waiting on a little special item. It is in the works. I cannot wait to share with you all! Also, my packages will be changing! Print options will available. I am really excited to share. So, stay tuned.
I will also be offering up fine art prints/canvas/art cards from the spring photography I was doing. That will include my abstracts and florals etc. as shown above, with more selection. They will be easy to order, and lovely on your walls :D
My goal in the next year is to spend more time blogging about my life. I am trying to decide whether to keep my personal family blog separate, or incorporate all into one. I just want to share more about my life with six kids, a husband and my photography.
After all I do what I love, and I love what I do!
Happy Friday!
Cathy xo
