The Working Photographer

Every day I wake up I say the words "Thank You" before my feet hit the floor. I remember all the years it took me to learn my craft and actually apply it towards creating beautiful imagery. It felt like it took forever to learn so many things.  There is no shortcut and understanding light and how to capture it correctly. Whenever I teach photography I am reminded of the hundreds of little things I have learned over the last two decades that are actually applied in my daily workflow every day. Being a pro photographer is a true gift but it is also one that is deserved.   I have seen some of the most beautiful and unique things in New Orleans and all around the country because of my job.  

  For someone who despises Math it's pretty ironic how much Math is used in photography. The difference for me is "Photography Math" is visual. When somebody tells me you have a gift for seeing the shot, I now understand what they mean. My truly greatest gift with being a photographer is how I relate to the human experience.  I love being a motivator and a witness to this great thing we call life. Whether it's a happy occasion or sad moment I'm always proud to capture them with the click of my shutter.  The camera for me now is just an extension of my conversation with the person in front of me.  Where some people see a creative mind as a  scattered brain with A.D.D. influences, I see it as a gift because I'm never settled on just one thing.  I believe we all have moments of greatness and celebrating those moments more often is what keeps the creative mind going. The photographer within is always bored with the image just taken while becoming super motivated to create an image better than the one before. I strongly believe this is why I, as a business, has thrived for the last 23 years. I'm always looking for the next awesome image that I can share with the world. They always say, "You're only as good as the last photograph you took." No pressure... just keep creating!

My advice to anyone starting to learn their craft should always remember photography is like golf. Just because you had a few in the woods doesn't mean the next T-off won't be a hole-in-one. Always go for the creative hole-in-one!