In May of 1989, I was involved in a major car accident, where I suffered a traumatic brain injury and head laceration. I woke up from a coma with permanent retrograde amnesia (where a person's preexisting memories are lost). I had to relearn to walk, talk, and function all over again. Doctors had told my grandmother (legal guardian) that I might never be a productive member of society. I fought long and hard to prove them wrong. I even started seventh grade on time and with my class. It was a lengthy arduous summer and I had many obstacles still ahead of me, but I refused to be left behind.
I soon discovered my dad had passed away years before (October 10, 1985) , and I did not remember anything about him. It was not easy to find pictures of him - I was left with five photos (shown below, plus one of his casket and my Marine brother standing next to it). It broke my heart. I was left to rely on family members’ stories to try and get to “know” him all over again. After leaving the hospital, I had difficulty remembering people’s names (even my family members), so I started carrying a Polaroid camera and taking pictures of everyone I met. In high school, I enrolled in Advanced Photography and Darkroom Development, finally upgrading to a 35mm camera. I discovered a true passion and enjoyment in photography, After high school, although I took pictures of my children, I had put my passion up on the “hobby” shelf. In 2006, I bought my first digital camera, and suddenly, that passion was sparked again. It also helped that the cost of getting the pictures was significantly reduced (no more buying rolls of film and then no cost to get them developed), so I could afford to start getting my feet wet again. I moved to Vancouver, WA., in 2007. I worked full-time in other fields until one day out of the clear blue sky, a dear friend was getting married and asked ME to be her photographer. I told her I was nowhere near "good enough" to be a wedding photographer. She insisted. I panicked! |
I was there in the venue- clueless and afraid I was going to fail my friend and ruin her day and possibly our friendship. Much to my dismay she enjoyed them and started telling everyone about me. She even immediately hired me to photograph her daughter's wedding that was coming up.
She believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. She gave me the push I needed to step out of my comfort zone, and loving what I was doing for a living. THANK YOU, RUTH - I owe you everything and miss you greatly (she sadly is residing on the other side) After some reflection and months sitting unhappily at work wondering what I should do with my life. Debating wether or not the risk was worth the potenital reward. Then one day - I decided I no longer wanted to work for someone else. So, I quit my full-time job and ventured out into the unknown - to be a self-employed PHOTOGRAPHER. I cherish every one of the pictures that I have taken, and I eagerly look forward to the ones I will take tomorrow for you. I want to capture your moments in time so you can look back fondly and remember what you were feeling, who you were with, and smile. It is why I do not charge a lot, and I NEVER want anyone to miss out on precious memories or be unable to capture those fleeting moments because moments like births, weddings, birthdays, reunions, etc - they happen. They are raw. They are real, and they are beautiful. But they are also like a mist. Here… and then gone. If a photographer is not there, they only exist in your memories. Which, unfortunately, fade and get fuzzy over time. Thankfully, being a photographer I get the honour of freezing those moments for you to have forever! |