Where it all began:

This Christmas I hit a unique point in my life: I had nothing I wanted for Christmas. I felt like I was in a pretty good place in terms of needs/wants: my clothes were up to date, my phone was relatively new with no apparent issues, my computer recently purchased, my tv a new addition that had been donated.

What an incredibly fortunate situation to be in. While I knew my parents could've easily written me a check and that would've been that, I knew that cash turned into small meaningless purchases and that's the last thing I wanted.

I came across a deal for a refurbished bottom tier consumer DSLR from Canon (the kind of camera that your friend's mom uses on auto with the lens that came in the box. They're a big step up from your iPhone pictures, no doubt).

Great! I thought. Did a bit of research, realized there was a knockoff lens selling online that would give me a bit more of the look I wanted for my pictures for very small price. Added to the list.

Christmas came around and I couldn't put it down.

Learning, learning, learning.

Shooting

Shooting

Shooting.

(Photography by me)

Suddenly, at an age of 19 yrs old (I know that in the grand scheme of life this is an incredibly early stage, but I had just assumed I had found all of my passions.) I had opened up a door to a completely new art form that I had so much to learn from.

I was snapping everything from my girlfriend to my dogs to my family to nature. I was perfectly happy with the images I had created.

Unfortunately, comparison is the enemy of pride.

I found myself, in effort to learn, coming upon beautiful creations from some really unique artists. I look back at my own "art" with dismay. Like:

Them

Me

Distraught.

It must be the equipment. I don't have a nice enough camera. I need a new lens. I need better programs, more expensive editing tools.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

A tool is as good as the person using it.

I researched. Practiced. I talked to professionals nice enough to lead me in certain directions and help me cultivate my skill and style. I used every youtube tutorial and photography blog I could get my hands on.

From January to August, I have made a huge amount of progress.

January 3, 2016. Less than 2 Weeks with camera.

August 10, 2016. 8 Months with camera.

I thank everyone who has had a hand in my work and making it what it has become today.

We live in a world full of an abundance of resources. My mind has grown so much just in these 8 months from the shifting perspective and new mindset that comes with seeing the world through a lens.

I urge you all to step back and wonder what your possibilities are. What you could be missing.

To have an open mind. And never take for granted the immense gift we have that is a world dedicated to sharing knowledge.