My Photography

The diamond drop

Austin

I have always tried to have a camera in my

hands. I think I got my first one, a Polaroid
Instant camera when I was about 12.

Of course that was a black and white

that took a flash cube. From there I went

to a pocket camera with the flash bar.

From there I lost track of the camera’s

I had and for a short spell with running

a household and paying bills, a camera

was not a priority. That meant when one

died the money was not there to replace

it and there was not always the money there

to have film developed. So for a few years I

did without.

But then came the nicer 135 mm cameras. Still

not the professional type, but they were just

fine with me. I never had the type that you

changed out lens or flashes. But I still loved

taking pictures, usually the family and the

kids. Then, five years ago I went to work for

Photo Services for the State of Tennessee.

This was the department that did the

photographing needs for the state, state

parks, Governor events, any state department

event that need an event documented by

photos. I was just the secretary for the booking

and scheduling of these shoots but I worked

with three talented photographers and several

really talented freelancers. In being around

this type of work daily, my desire to shoot

came out more.

In 2006 I got my first point and shoot camera,

a Sony. I love it. I still to this day carry it daily

in my purse for those times that I need to

catch something fast. I started to venture out

and away from snap shots of people and family

and started shooting nature and other items

around me. My talent started to improve.

I loved doing this so much, so in July of 2008,

I decided that my hobby needed a REAL camera.

I purchased my first professional camera, Nikon

D40. I went wild. The things that I could do with

this camera. Here I was thinking that this was

just going to be a costly hobby and it has actually

made money.

I now work for the Tennessee Bureau of

Investigation, another State agency. We have

employees all over the state. One of these

employees that came into the Nashville office

one day, was able to view some of my paintings

and some of my photography. Keeping this in

mind she contacted me a few months later and

asked me would I be interested in photographing

her nieces wedding. Talk about being blown away!

I was not thinking that I was good enough to

venture out and try this, but after an offer was

made, I accepted. I am so glad I did.

Now thanks to her I have two weddings under

my belt, both booked by her. I shot her nieces

and I shot her son’s. I also have a friend who

is a wedding photographer who has stated to

me that he would have no problems using me

if he ever needed to. Wow…

From there, I recently shot some senior class

photos for two boys. I am pleased at how well

they also turned out. My niece is a senior this

year and it looks like I will also be doing hers…..

who would have thought this hobby would have

turned into a part time here and there job! I love it.

Although I love doing this, I am still more

comfortable with doing nature shots. I love

going out and finding the usual to shot, or to

take something that someone else would not

see the art in and shooting it in a way that you

look at it as art.

Thanks for stopping and thanks once again to

the woman who got me started with the

weddings and the others adventures…she

knows who she is!

Pam

Sam

My first Wedding

2nd wedding

caught in flight

resting in the garden

Niece's fish

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