Everyone has different reasons for getting into their careers. some people are brought into family businesses, some people have a love for what they do, some people are nudged by circumstance. Whatever the reason you get into your line of work, try to make it uniquely you, and try to find ways to make it as enjoyable as possible. Here is how I got into photography.
When I was a little boy, I had this old film camera and I enjoyed just going around and taking pictures of random things or people. I was never too concerned with developing the film but more with finding that shot. Fast forward to me in college, I was doing mechanical and electrical engineering but when asked to choose an extra subject I immediately went to photography. I had an absolute blast, it was here I learned to focus not just on colour but texture and mood, and it took my mind into completely different spaces.
After college, my attention shifted from photography and I got into telecommunications for a while, but somewhere along the line I got hold of a Nikon D200 and I started to feel the excitement for photography once again. I was looking for every reason to take a photo, I started doing work with the marketing team whenever they have the presentation or something new got branded, I was always there, a camera in hand ready to go to work. It was during this time that I met a now good friend of mine Tony, who got me into photographing models. I had a lot of fun during this time, because not only was I able to find a shot and bring my viewer to someplace that I hoped they have never been before, but I was also able to direct and be, even more, creativity in what I was doing.
Around this time a friend of mine who was engaged ask me to photograph her wedding for her, and initially I said no, I did not know anything about weddings, and I was very much aware that it is a one-time deal if you do not get that moment as it happens, then it is gone. However, she had seen my work before, and she was quite certain and very adamant that it was something I could do. After a while of resisting, I eventually said yes, and I started researching wedding photos. For my first wedding, as nervous as I was, I did a good job, I even surprised myself. After that, one recommendation led to another and before I knew it, weddings were a normal thing.
Eventually, life in the telecoms business ended and I had to find a way to make a living. Luckily for me, I had already developed the skill set, and accumulated the equipment, to make photography my new way of life. The one problem I had was, it was not a steady income, so I decided to take a job as a hotel photographer. If you want to read more about that click on this link for more.
To answer the question in the title, I became a photographer because I love interacting with people and I get excited when I can deliver images that; grab your attention, show you something in a way that you normally would not see, or maybe even get you to look at something you customarily would ignore. I love Wedding Photography because I enjoy being a part of something special, and after learning what I can about my clients, showing them in a way that tells their story.
