So I mentioned last week that I was going to start doing a few things differently around here…one of them being sharing some of my life with all of you. Since this IS my photography blog, I thought maybe a good place to start would be my beginnings in photography.
I can’t really put a finger on the true beginnings of my photography journey. I’ve always LOVED pictures. I remember carrying around my pink Le Click camera (come on children of the 80′s…you know what I’m talking about…) and taking pictures of EVERYTHING. Seriously, everything. Just this past year I went through boxes and boxes of 3.5×5 pictures of some of the most random things EVER. I was that girl that came home from every trip with about 8 rolls of film to get developed. And yes, I was that annoying person that always wanted a group shot in any place that looked anything like a “photo opp.” But going through all of those pictures was such a fun trip down memory lane. I did throw a bunch away, but made sure I had something from everything and they will be in a box in my basement until my poor kid(s) has to go through them one day and think “What in the world was mom thinking taking all of these pictures?” (and probably “who thought that hairdo was a good idea?” and “what IS she wearing?”).
Then I grew up, got a more “sophisticated” camera, and just continued snapping away. I always wanted a “Real Camera.” Meaning one that had interchangeable lenses. I was about 23 or 24. I had just gotten dumped by a guy I thought hung the moon. I needed some retail therapy. I went to Best Buy, did some research, and dropped a good amount of money on a Nikon SLR camera. I was so excited. I named it my “Break Up Camera” and we had a lot of fun over the years. I continued taking it everywhere and snapping pictures left and right. I wonder how much money I spent on film and developing…I don’t think I would want to know.
2004 – Enter Clark. We dated, and he quickly realized that my “break up camera” and I were pretty tight. Our first picture together was taken with that camera. To this day, it’s one of my favorite pictures of us. In 2005 we got married and one day, Clark started talking to me about my obsession with the camera. No one had ever really suggested that maybe I should look into learning what photography was all about. No one ever really challenged me to get out of Auto mode and really explore what that fabulous piece of equipment could do. No one until him. He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself and he bought me my second “real camera.” My Nikon Digital SLR. The D50. And then he bought me some books. And then he told me to start reading. I did, and I was hooked. I started grabbing my nephew whenever I could to practice and it didn’t take me long to realize that I LOVED photography. I took some pictures of my nephew, then a few of my friends asked me if I would take some pictures of their kids, and then all of a sudden, I had friends of friends asking if I would photograph their children. From there it just started to really unfold. I kept on practicing, reading, and shooting…and before too terribly long, Just Jill Photography was born.
2 men and 2 cameras led me to something that I feel like I was born to do. I love it. I love every part of it (well, except for writing checks to the state once a quarter). I love meeting new clients, watching clients grow up in front of my lens, capturing laughter, love, joy, and sometimes even tears. That second man that gave me that second camera…He is a keeper. I am so grateful that he saw something in me and encouraged me to go for it. More on him next time…as well as the story behind my business name.
Until then, thanks for reading…
And thank you for letting me do what I love. You all make it possible!
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