My neighbor is a school teacher and she asked me if I would be willing to let one of her students shadow me for the day as part of their "Career Day". I got a tiny and spunky 8th grader named Eve. I felt obligated to give her the insights that I never got about photography as a business. She is recently into making photos but doesn’t know what she wants to do with her newfound interest. So through out our day I talked about all the creative process, understanding people, finding markets, doing research, the excitement of making a good photo from a bad situation, the personal enrichment of all the people/places/things that I get to photograph … I didn’t talk about cameras. To me the job is so much more about the experience rather than the tools. I took her to an assignment so that she could see me work but all the chatter was about the mindset, character and life of a photographer. Since she doesn’t know an f/stop from a doorstop any technical jabber from me would be pointless anyway. I think that I inspired her and if so that makes my whole month super cool.
So here’s to Eve and all the budding artists out there who are passionate about their work and don’t let the fact that they support themselves with their hobby get them down.
Hi Jonathan!
It’s been awhile since I’ve taken a look at your site and I like the additions and updates. I look forward to reading more on your blog – I’m in the same boat as Eve on the “f/stops and doorstops” end of amateur, but your work has been an inspiration to me even way back during your WSU days.
I don’t remember so much the photos themselves, but I definitely recall the enthusiasm and commitment you have to capturing the fleeting moments most of us take for granted. If you get a second, drop me a line!
Cheers,
Liza Lagman Sperl
Reformed South End Student Newspaper Publication Board Member and un-penitent picture taker