Saturday, September 19, 2009

Photographer's Life

Several years ago, a photographer friend asked me if I knew the definition of a free-lance photographer. I proceeded to pontificate about creative freedom and plying the photography trade far and wide from the back country to corporate boardroom. "What an idealist you are," he said, "a free-lance photographer is a person with an employed spouse."

Ah, how true that. Indeed, I continue to keep a "day job" to support the roof over my head and things like insurance. The downside is that I literally work two jobs. Occasionally the day job moves into the time I set aside for the photography job (evenings, lunch "breaks," weekends, and holidays). Even when I take a "vacation," I photograph pretty much the entire time, and often sell what I photograph on "vacation."

I do it because I love it. The camera and the computer are tools that help me to extend and express my voice. I have yet to find better "microphones" from my mind, heart, and soul. I am equal parts writer, photographer, and artist. Oftentimes the three expressions overlap, meld, connect.

This is my first blog post on this subject. Thank you for following along on this journey and sharing your journey behind or in front of the lens.