Thirty years ago tomorrow, it began. I received a red Vivitar PS:135 camera from Santa. I wanted a camera because my uncles took photos, and I wanted to be cool like them. (I can’t find a photo of the PS:135 that’s fair use, so if you want to see what that camera looked like, you’ll have to Google it.)
I took photos of EVERYTHING. Mostly of playing with my brother in the woods.
All through school, I was the picture taker. I took photos of every event and happening. And after high school, I lost it for a while. There was a period of time that I didn’t document anything because I was busy trying to survive. But that’s another post for another time.
Then I found it again. I bought my first digital camera. A Sony. It was amazing. I think it was 8 or 10 megapixels and I was in love.
I kept taking pictures. Eventually, people wanted me to take photos of them and their families. I did. I made a career of it. I still take portraits of other people. I also make a lot of art. I’ve grown in my “picture taking” and morphed into an artist.
If you happen to unwrap a box tomorrow that has a camera in it, treat it with respect. Learn how to use it. Become more than a picture taker. Get out of auto mode. Make art. Make art out of your life.
And know that what is in that box is a tool, not a business. It took me a long time to get to where I am, and a lot of learning. I encourage you to take courses, get mentors, and practice, practice, practice if photography is something you’d like to pursue.
Thirty years. It has been a good time so far. Here’s to another thirty.
