Two stories to tell here…

I was working as a photographer very early. I shot my first wedding when I was 18 and did a good job. I majored in photography in college, but had to work as well. Mom wasn’t supportive; she always complained about the expenses related to photography classes, film, paper, chemicals, wine… I work as a photographer for a company that did several different design-related things: Set Design, Tradeshow booths, Store Windows, and such. I joked with the owner one day that he would do whatever someone was willing to pay for. I left that job being owed a lot of money. I did weddings, portraits, product, and food photography as well. Non-paying clients have always been a problem. Now I have contracts and get deposits. Model releases as well. I got burned on a big print sale to Nordstroms because an in-law wanted to be paid for the use of her son’s photo. I should have gone ahead with the sale. Nordstrom’s would have been great exposure. See the photo of “The Kid” in my People Gallery

Humility. After college, my mom gave me a gift certificate for my birthday one year. The gift certificate was for a photography class at a local Workshop School. I was a bit arrogant, “Seriously! I am a photographer!” I didn’t say that to my mom; I am not totally stupid. The class was on Visualizing & Composition. I learned so much in that class! I learned how to see shapes and lines, and to move around to get the best composition. That class changed the way I make images!

Part Two involves moving to Fort Worth, Texas. You can read the rest of this story in my blog post, The Original Not My Backyard Photo! Let me know what you think…