So I have had plenty of people ask me if I like photography, how I got started, what equipment I use and so on. So I figured to answer some of those questions to my fans and aspiring artist/ students. I really love photography, no I am not one who will tell you I have been doing it since I was little, to me that is almost unbelievable because of how much our interests change as we grow. When I was little I wanted to be a singer, and though I am okay at it, there is no way I am Beyonce, or maybe Lady Gaga for my younger fans. I honestly hated my picture being taken for years, honestly there is a gap in photo albums that there isn't an image of me, unless it was one of those nasty looking ones where I was caught off guard with major red eye going on. You know what I am saying. It wasn't until I was about 14 when I realized what photography meant to me and how I became so passionate about it. My aunt was going through breast cancer.... It was probably as real to me as it was her, but being supportive was of high importance. You may be thinking what does this have to do with photography. Well, we decided to donate our hair. I have only ever dyed my hair once, and lets just say it wasn't the look I wanted, and short i had chubby cheeks, at least so I thought. So it was always long. Then I CHOPPED IT OFF! Thus coming to an image of me in a bright green shirt yellow shorts and some very short hair. This was when I realized what this image did. it gave hope, it gave back. I went from there taking film developing classes in high school and on to college to help feed my interest and inspiration.
As for getting started, it really happened after my senior year high school. I captured an underclassmen Senior images with my Samsung, something or another, point and shoot digital camera. It went from there into college when I a freshman received 4th place in a photo contest.(Taken with my point and shoot I might add.) This is where my favorite saying comes in to remind those just starting out and getting interested that it isn't the camera, or the equipment, but the person using it to capture the moment and what they see just how they see it!
As for the all mighty question on camera and lens equipment that I use. I spent days, weeks, and yes, months figuring out what to purchase. No joke! I then decided to purchase a Mark II 5D camera body and a 24-105mm lens. These are both Canon. I stuck with the original American brand that has been around for years also because my father had old Canon film lenses that could be possibly be used if needed in the future. For those of you that don't know, film and digital lenses have different connecting ends but this can be adapted if entirely needed, with the exception that there maybe more vibrations, lens might not work to the full extent, and most importantly dusk/dirt collection more avid to occur. So I continued to add to my clientele using this "go to" set, and still use it often!
As I began to expand so did the need for a different lens, my main need was a lower f-stop or aperture (as my 24-105mm only went to 4.0). I wanted one that gave me a wider opening to create a shallow depth of field, or blurry background. I wanted this for my newborn photography mainly to create that sharp focus on the little angel and void any background distraction. Thus i purchased a 50mm lens that went to an f-stop of 1.8. For those who don't know much about a 50mm lens, don't worry I didn't know this either, this is the closest lens to the human eye. HOw cool is that! Now, focus on something directly infront of you. Now, notice how the area you are focused on is sharp and clear and just slightly notice using your peripheral vision the "blur" of the objects further away. Cool right! Now do the opposite and focus far away. Notice the object you just focused on close to you becomes "blurred"? This is the depth of field your eye sees. So when using this lens I literally am taking pictures with my eyes!
From there my business expanded into weddings, my brother's being one of them, and I purchased my next lens for my early 21st birthday gift. A 70-200mm IS lens with an 2.8 f-stop. Now this lens I use specifically for wedding ceremony, but I know many shoot wildlife with it. Both good options, but keep in mind it is extremely heavy to carry around all day. Trust me! I mainly bought it for the large zoom, not having to be in the way during a ceremony, and its low light compensation for those need shots in not the best lit places. It is an amazing lens, but as this being only a month and one week old to me, there is much to explore!
Additional equipment besides my lenses I have a tripod for those long aperture settings to capture the silky look of water. (I want to get an off camera release cable to help avoid any vibrations in the future.) And one of my most valuable investments, I reflector 4 in 1 kit. This is used by an assistant to reflect light onto a subject in a specific area, warm or cool (love having the two options), a diffuser, used to shield harsh light, and a grey card used for adjusting your white balance. To me this 4 in 1 tool is a necessity if you don't have a studio and you plan to capture images in harsh light during the middle of the day, which lets face, that may be the only time your client is available.