Assignment number 1ish...Why Do I Want To Become A Photographer?

So I've finished the first three chapters of my photography  book, and let me tell you, it's brain over load for sure, and it's just the beginning. . . 


The first actual assignment I did was getting to know my camera... I thought I knew my camera like the back of my hand, and boy was I wrong. After an hour or so of pressing buttons and exploring different menus, I fell even more in love with JJ (my camera). I was very excited that I was introduced to her deeper side, because it's amazing! 


Now on to what I'm going to call my first assignment...Answering the big question of Why I Want To Become A Photographer? I'm also suppose to pull out at least 3 favorite photos that I have taken before reading the book, put them aside and go back to them after reading the book to see how my photography has improved, so I will also share those pictures with you :) 

Why I Want To Become A Photographer...

When I listen to a song that catches my ear, emotions are pulled from me, sometimes happy ones, sometimes sad ones, but nonetheless,  emotions that make me feel more then what I was feeling before I had listened to the song.


Photography has the same effect on me that a great song does. There are times when I look a photograph, and I can feel exactly what the photographer was feeling at the very moment they shot the picture. The first time I heard someone tell me they got emotional from looking at one of my photos, I couldn't run away from the fact that I have a gift to see the world through my own, built in, wide angled lens. I want to inspire people and I've found that my unique way of doing so, is through photography. I love making people smile, and what better way then with a camera in hand.  


If you asked me a month ago what I wanted to do with my photography, I would have told you I wanted to be a world renowned photography for National Geographic. But quickly my mind is changing. It's not that I don't believe I have what it takes to become that good, because I'm a believer that you can do anything you put your mind to, but I don't want to lose my love for photography.  Although in my heart I don't think the love will ever go away, but it's not something I'm willing to risk. I never want my gift to become "Just a job."


I love taking pictures, the way I feel when I'm behind a camera, capturing a moment that can't be relived is the most amazing feeling in the world. I would imagine it makes me feel the same way it makes a musician feel when they step on stage to sing a song they wrote. I get lost in it, my mind is clear, and for those few moments, I have no troubles and life is peaceful. 


I don't want photography to be my main job or my main source of income, I want it to be a hobby that I'm extremely good at. I want to be a very affordable photographer for families that can't afford ridiculously priced family portraits, or for a young married couple that wants their special day documented, but doesn't have the money to hire a professional photographer. I want to be as good as a professional, and that's why I'm doing this.  I want to produce memories for people, but I don't want them to have to pay a fortune to get that memory back on paper. One of the biggest rewards of this profession and/or hobby is making people feel good, and making them smile, and there is no amount of money that is worth that.


So now onto my favorite beginning photographs, I chose these because they each hold a great memory for me. . . 

This was in a small bar in Chicago that had AMAZING pizza
I love Chicago and I love their pizza :) 

I was on a road trip to Idaho with my cousin
Amy and my bestie Tyler, it was a "perfect"
kind of day... 

Amy walking on the UCSC Campus. It
was my last night, and she was taking me to the most
amazing view I've ever seen... <3 

I was driving with Amy and Marta in
Santa Cruz on our way to the boardwalk...it was
a magical day <3

My little sister and I had a "Sissy day"
it was perfect <3

Summer day+Ron+Fishing = Amazing 

Exploring downtown Chicago...I loved this
alley. 

Well peeps, that's all I have for assignment number one. I love you all!!! 

P.s. 36 Days, 8 hours and 22 Minutes until Christmas, but who's counting?  ;)