99% of the time people will say this in a group, and will usually find that I already have a camera in my hand snapping pictures. It's been a hobby of mine for years, either for posterity's sake (to record the event for my genealogy hobby), or for fun. Then, people started noticing that my pictures were more than just pictures - they were art. They were memories that I had captured that they wanted for themselves and they wanted me to help them capture memories for them as well.
Over the past couple of years, I have slowly been turning my passion for photography from hobby into a profession. I have gathered the necessary gear - a more professional camera (a DSLR), though I still use my point and shoot camera, photo editing software, and some studio equipment. I now have all the equipment I need to meet most of your needs for a portrait session, or for event photography.
Someone asked me the other day how long I have been into photography. I could not really come up with an answer for them, because I have loved shooting pictures for as long as I can remember. Now, I CAN remember having problems actually taking pictures, especially one really memorable occasion.
I had gone on a school trip to the zoo in grade school, and I think I was in the first grade, or maybe it was third grade - I really can't remember how old I was. My mom had given me a camera to take some pictures of the animals and stuff - it was a film camera of course (I am so showing my age here); it was actually one of those old 110mm cameras. I took lots and lots of pictures. I was so proud and could not wait to show my mom when I got home! She developed the film and then we took a look at the pictures. Oh no! Unfortunately, this was when they actually developed all the film you took regardless of how awful the picture was. Every single picture I had taken was of my face! My mom knew instantly what had happened, but I could not figure it out. I had turned the camera around backwards, and instead of taking pictures of the animals like I thought I had been doing, I was actually happily snapping shot after shot of my face!
Well, I have learned quite a few things since then, and photography has also come quite a ways since then as well. All of my pictures are taken on a digital camera. Instead of making adjustments in the darkroom, if some minor adjustments need to be made, those adjustments can now be made with software. Special effects can also be added. But, no amount of special effects can make up for natural lighting. Getting the really great pictures means finding the right amount of light. All that a camera really does, after all, is capture light. It is the photographer's job to manipulate that light in the best way possible.
Here are are few more things about me that you might like to know:
I have been in the Rincon, Georgia area since around 2004 and came from Charleston, South Carolina. I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. His name is Brad. We have no children of the human variety, but do have two miniature schnauzures, litter mates, named Conner and Caeser. I am a conservative Christian who loves her family and I love to talk politics on my personal blog. I also have a very competitive streak. I am a very avid reader and love arts and crafts. The past few months I have been learning a little web design thrown into the mix. And last, but certainly not least, I am active on quite a few social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter.
I look forward to getting to know you!
Andrea LaGrow
Digital Media Memories
