Reflections

I thought this would be an appropriate time to reflect on what I've accomplished this last year and think about my future directions. I have to thank Julie for introducing me to DSLR photography and allowing me to handle her camera. I did not suddenly wake up one day and realize that I want to be a wedding photographer. A lot of different events transpired to get me to this point. Disappointment with my own wedding photos led me to research wedding photography more closely. Yes, I know it would have been better to do that before the wedding, but I was on a serious budget, taking difficult classes, working, and doing all the planning long-distance. I became disenchanted with the field of scientific research. I think that I could be a competent researcher, but I wouldn't really enjoy it. I started looking for science jobs and was really frustrated with the options. There are basically two types of jobs. One is for someone with a bachelor's degree and pays very little. The other is for someone with a PhD with lots of experience and qualifications which I do not have nor do I care to obtain. There is no way that I am quitting now when I am so close to getting my degree but am upset that I likely will never use it. I don't think anyone really realizes how hard graduate school is when they first start out. If I could do it over again, there is no way that I would go, but I did learn a few useful things. I've become a better speaker and communicator. I've learned not to trust people so much. I'm much less idealistic and much more practical. I've learned what is really important to me in life. This last point, combined with my desire for more family time, led me to seek out other careers. Inspired by how Brett got her wedding coordinator internship with Barbara, I looked up all the Lubbock wedding photographers, contacted my favorite, and asked her if I could volunteer and learn with her. (That's another thing I learned from graduate school - if you want something, don't be afraid to reach out and ask, nobody else will do it for you.) Shan is the most amazing photographer and person, and I cannot thank her enough for letting me tag along to weddings with her. I have learned so much from her, and I also continue to study books and online forums to educate myself. I finally bought my own camera and don't know how I ever lived without it. Wow, I cannot believe that I am doing this. The one thing that I said I would NEVER ever do was start and run my own business.

Goals for 2007

-Graduate! (or spring 2008 would be okay too) Until I graduate, I can't really do anything seriously.
-Technical skills. It's so frustrating to compose a perfect image in my head, but not be able to manipulate the camera to do what I want.
-Reliability. Perhaps this will come with the technical skills and more experience. Sometimes I do know exactly what to do, but I just can't do it fast enough, so I feel I am not very consistent with my output.
-Get out of the house more. I'm tired of shooting objects in my living room. It's also not very technically challenging.

I am excited to see what the new year will bring. I wish everybody a very happy 2007.