The First

About 15 years ago, I took a photography course at the local community college.

At the time I had a full time job, no kids, and digital photography was just barely getting started. I didn’t own a cell phone. (I hated the idea of having a phone with me at all times)  And I had just purchased my first computer.

Things were different just 15 years ago.

I learned photography through film and through the dark room.  (which I absolutely hated, colorblindness made that part of it so bad), but I learned the basics. Shutter speed. Aperture. Things you need to know to shoot a camera manually. Things I tell any new budding photographer to learn before trying to learn anything else.

A couple years laters, I had a baby. And a digital camera that I already knew how to use. And still a full time job.

I took photos of my baby until I mastered natural light. Inside and outside. I took photos every single day. Because I loved it.

And then.

I took pictures of other people’s babies.

And then I got paid to do that.

And this young man…..

He’s one of those kids, in fact his is the first family that I got paid to take pictures of.

And I got to shoot in one of the most amazing places in Cheyenne, because they lived there. He grew up there. And I got to visit ALL the time. And I got to have dinners and evenings full of laughter of fun next to the cattle there. And every time I drove up, one of the dogs would greet me.

I don’t shoot there any longer. The family has moved away, but we went back for his SENIOR photos.

I had to take that in.

SENIOR photos. His mom had to hold in tears while we were shooting. I didn’t tell her I had to hold in tears as I left.

And this….. this is what my photography business has become. I’m not there just to take pictures, I’m there to get to know you. To watch you grow. And cry when they are about to graduate from high school, because I’ve been doing this….that long.

THIS is my full time job now. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. And I’m so blessed it is.

And to this family….. I send you so much love. And thank you for staying with me.