Photography has always been a passion of mine, but never an income stream. I laugh at the term moonlighting. It dates me, I know but it also says a lot about how the gig economy and view of what “work” is has changed but also come full circle. This isn’t about a new career, it is about my journey as a photographer and now creating value for others as a commitment to their work.
In my childhood it was about the art and creativity: documenting the real world, on film and in the darkroom. Portraits weren’t my focus, but they came along for the ride: yearbook assignments, hikes in nature, and most importantly, time with my father (also a photographer) and close friends who shared the same passion.
Travel is also a passion. Meeting people, learning their stories, and understanding them brings me joy. That’s why street photography now calls to me — documenting experiences, capturing the places and people in those experiences and hopefully helping others document their own experiences, passions and art.
Over time, passion became hobby, and hobby gave way to career. My work in technology was all-consuming, second only to family. Still, I never let go of the camera. As our children grew, I captured it all — not just snapshots, the images created are different when you have the eye for art and the passion and the love of great tools. Whenever I could, I invested in cameras and glass (lenses) worthy of those memories. The focus, was capturing memories. The result was capturing the moment.
As I interact with people today I think about the frame and the focus. The mood and the memory. Images have become ubiquitous with phone cameras so this isn’t unusual, I love the images out of my iPhone too. When you stop, compose and shoot with a dedicated device that gives you the power of control it changes things. That small act changes the way you see. And I like that change.
The kids are grown, the work continues but my hobbies are becoming a passion again, my nights and weekends are focused. Sometimes they aren’t in focus, and perhaps I need to think differently about the depth of field or subject in motion. That takes adjustment but I know how to do that.
It is a wonderful journey. I’ll share more of that journey here.
