portrait photography

i have been reflecting on my life, my desires, my drives. even though at times, i feel a little out of control (i.e i spent $2000 for a camera lens and $800 for the car i am driving which still has school junk from may in the back seat!!) but undoubtedly my life is fulfilling! i love teaching, especially kids with some special learning needs....it's incredibly rewarding. i confess i would ideally like to teach from 8 to noon - however! and my other job - photography! well it doesn't seem like a job at all. i am so passionate about every aspect of it - from being with people, capturing their uniqueness, editing the images, turning them into art. i LOVE it!

a good friend asked me why i love it so. she asked, "i know you love it, but tell me all the reasons why.........are you sure this isn't just a profitable way to engage in your people pleasing mentality?"

fair enough question - and a welcome inquiry coming from someone who cares enough about me to ask....

so i've been thinking -

i love having the unique opportunity to be in people's lives - to follow little kids around for a couple of hours and enjoy their silliness and innocence along with their parents. i love getting to celebrate love while shooting a wedding - to be a part of such a momentous occasion - to be able to experience the joy of newlyweds - their first kiss, their first dance......lucky me!

i love the challenge of endeavoring to capture the essence of a personality - the newness of a newborn, the individuality of a high school senior. along with that, i am driven to find the very best light, the most flattering angle, the perfect expression. sometimes it's tough - but i love the quest! everyone is beautiful - sometimes the beauty isn't so obvious - sometimes it is like treasure to discover...sometimes it's blatant - like the outrageous magenta water lilies blooming in my pond right now....but even gorgeous flowers have their best sides...

and the artist in me loves bring those digital pixels into my computer and study them - fiddle with them - turn them into works of art. editing pictures gives me the same thrill as does painting.....creating.

and i love it when my portraits make people happy - when a parent almost cries because i have captured the treasured expression of their toddler....
i want them to LOVE the pictures.....
not so they will think i am great....
i want them to have a memory - to bring some happiness into their lives that will last even beyond the present.

the roller coaster of time never stops - except in a photograph.
i love to be a part of that.