I've truly never thought too hard about how I first became interested in photography. It's such a big part of my life it seems as if it's just something I was born with.
I know when I was younger I would always take the camera from my mom when we were at the beach or up in the mountains and wouldn't let anyone else take any of the pictures, but I didn't really think that's where it started. I do remember one time when I was at the Zoo with my mom and brother I was given the camera and was actually responsible for taking all the pictures that day, I also recall how when I showed my mom the pictures at the end of the day she told me they were no good and I wasn't allowed to be in charge of the camera again. I was only about 10 years old and loved to take pictures so I was heartbroken. I'd say after that was when I was determined to prove to my mom I could take amazing photos and I would be a great photographer one day.
My mom owned her own in-home daycare so I practiced my photo skills her daycare kids. I'd make them dress up in ridiculous costumes and use silly props like it was an actual photo shoot. They all seemed to enjoy it so it's not as cruel as it sounds.
After a while of playing studio with my mom's daycare kids I started to really become interested in photography. By the time I was 15 I was saving up to by my own camera, but I wasn't saving for a small Digital Camera by no means, I was saving for a fancy DSLR camera that I could take professional photos with. I had maybe $400 saved up when my brother surprised me with the camera that year for Christmas, best gift I had ever received by far. I remember thinking I finally had a REAL camera, a true photographers camera. I knew I was a professional then. Around the same time I was fascinated with older outdated cameras. I had started my own collection of antique cameras I found at garage sales and thrift stores, I was always shocked how people would just throw them out like they were worthless, to me they're my most prized possessions. I bought every older manual or film camera I came across. I would also buy any Polaroid cameras I happen to find, but people didn't get rid of those as often.
Other than my antique cameras that just sat on the shelf at home to be admired, there was my DSLR camera which I took with me everywhere I went. I would take as many photos as I could each day. I taught myself as I'd go how to handle the camera and how to take the best photos I could on my own. I felt I did pretty well being self taught.
When I got to high-school I took two years of photography my junior and senior year where I was taught how to use a Manual camera and develop my own film. It was great because I had bought a Manual camera at a garage sale a couple months before and I was finally going to learn how to use it.
I learned a lot on my own but taking the classes helped as well because I learned not only how to use a Manual and develop my own film, but I also learned different techniques and what makes up a good photo. I also learned a lot from the other students in the class by having group critiques that gave me insight on some of my work that I didn't see has the photographer, it gave you a chance to hear how other people viewed your photos.
After High-school I applied to Columbia College of Art in Chicago. I got accepted, but didn't go. I got discouraged by family and felt I wouldn't be able to make it on my own or just wouldn't do well all together, so I didn't go. Not going to that school is the only thing in my life I will ever admit that I do regret. It was my dream and I didn't follow it. I let someone else tell me what I couldn't do and ended up letting myself down.
After deciding not to go it took me over 6 months to pick my camera back up. I had no interest in it. I figured photography wasn't for me. I had given up at that point.
Lucky enough for me I had met someone who encouraged me to get back on my feet and get back into photography. He saw something was missing in my life, and I knew it was missing as well, I was truly scared to get into photography again, I kept telling myself I wasn't good enough and I was scared of disappointing myself again. It was a nice eye opener though, I learned not to care what other people think you can or can't do, as long as you know you can do it. I am forever grateful I met someone who believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.
It's only been a few months since I've been pursuing my photography again and I've never been more satisfied. I've improved greatly as a photographer now that I believe in myself and want to succeed.
I know Ill never put away my camera again. Photography is what I'm good at and it's what I enjoy. I don't fully know when I decided to take on photography but I'm thankful everyday that I did.
