Happy 1 year on FB LFP!

I remember sitting at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade at about 5 or 6 on my Dad’s lap taking photos with my blue camera.  I was completely intrigued by the thought of seeing what was in front of me and holding on to that forever.   When I think about LFP, my day dreams often start at this exact moment.

Fast forward to my sophomore year of high school.  As I sat in Mr. McLenan’s photography class – listening to lectures on ISO and inhaling the smell of the dark room, I always knew that was what I wanted to do when I grew up.  As a young girl, I never really thought “being a photographer” was really a profession, I assumed it was yet another open-ended dream dancing around in my head. Being in the dark room turning your thoughts and vision into something real you could hold in your hands was amazing to say the least.  Mr. McLenan reviewed a series of photos I had taken of my friends in their Doc Martens and striped socks and the water dripping out of a 1950’s style faucet in my house.  He told me that he appreciated my eye, and really believed that if I stuck with it, this could be something I could take far in life.  15+ years later, I still remember beaming from the inside out when he said that.

The very next year I got a job at Lynn Photo.  I worked the counter and was able to assist in developing the film.  The owner Van, was a brilliant man who had an insane amount of talent.  He was kind enough to sometimes let me sit in when he did portraits and teach me about lighting.  Those short lessons and real time experience fascinated me.  And the 3 times he let me take Passport photos on my own made me feel like the coolest kid on the block.

In college I took a photo course here and there and played around a bit on my own. Photography changed from film to digital and there was zero chance I could afford the upgrade.  I had a simple point and shoot and was labeled the paparazzi by my friends.  I graduated college with a degree in Business, bought a home, got married and life went on.

A few years later I saved enough to by my first DSLR. I started reading, practicing, reading, and practicing and more reading and practicing. I got jobs assisting (carrying bags and holding lighting). I volunteered my time, read blogs, studied, tried and failed and tried and succeeded.  I saved and upgraded equipment several times over.

I made more mistakes, wasted more money, and got frustrated more times than I can count.

I have spent years learning this craft.  I have spent years in a cycle of trying, failing, and concurring. I have given up time with friends and family in order to sacrifice for my end goal.  All this adds up to getting better, more confident as the days go on.  I still have leaps and bounds to go, but that will come with more time and dedication.

One year ago today my cousins made me take LFP to facebook.   I am so overwhelmed and greatful for each and every person who has supported me, liked a photo, or had enough faith to hire me.  Thank you from the very bottom of my toes. Thank you a million times over.

I can only hope that my next year is half as good as the first!

Always trust yourself and listen to your heart.  When you come across your Mr. McLenan’s and bosses named Van listen when they speak to you.  Know their words are not fluff.  Follow your passion and take advice and observe those who are already where you hope to be.

Sadly, Van passed away several years ago.  I would have loved to have had to opportunity to tell him how he influenced me.  I have searched facebook for Mr. McLenan but had no luck in finding him.  If any SRHS people read this and know where I can get a letter to him, I would love that opportunity.   I would love to tell him that I took his advice about photography and life.

Besides telling me I had a chance at all this, he told me if I decided not to pursue my creative outlets, I should absolutely be a lawyer or a politician, that I had the ability to argue like no other, stand up for what I believe in no matter who gets angry, and convince people to see things from my point of view no matter how much they disagree.  It’s amazing what some kind words from adults to a teenager can mean, how it can influence their life. Thank you Mr. McLenan for speaking when your heart told you to, it ment the world to one 15 year old girl.