Two Images that Changed My Course

I was blessed in my early years by three mentors who took me under their wing to teach and critiqued me. They are all still good friends to this day. In my college years as I was launching my own business, I still assisted a photographer, Peter, who had recently moved to Maui, Hawaii but still had a wedding business based near South Lake Tahoe, CA. In working with him I was able to stretch my creativity because I was Photographer II. I drove two hours each way for every wedding. I lugged the heavy equipment, quickly put on the groomsmen’s boutonnières, and was always on the lookout for a stray piece of hair or a dress that needed fluffing. 

As my mentor would work through the standard shots all brides and their family expect, I was able to sit back and find the details. A stolen look, a family heirloom, a tossed pair of shoes. Together with all the posed portraits, they told the story of a new beginning.

An Observant Eye

The image below was from a special wedding and was the feature image of my first business card. This bride was marrying her high school sweetheart and to this day anytime I hear the song “Sir It Up” by Bob Marley, I think of this couple.

With her bridal party, final adjustments were being tended to just before the ceremony as this bride spoke with her nephews. The light filtering through the bride’s veil and the look on the little boy’s face was priceless. 

To be honest, when I took the image I thought it was just okay. On the small LCD screen I did not see the emotion and look of awe that little boy had for his auntie. Or the caring friend fighting yards of fabric intent on fastening her friend’s shoes. I did not see the little girl near the window watching all the guests arrive. The next time I saw Peter, he showed me what I captured and praised my use of light and photojournalistic style. It was one of the first moments I felt like I was not just a student of my craft but an artist.

My First Competition Print

This image means the world to me. It is of my first daughter being held by my husband and hangs in my house to this day. It was the first image I ever printed and put up to be judged at my local professional association. 

I remember how nervous I was as I turned in my print. The hardest part was naming it. I finally settled on “He Has His Whole World in His Hands”.

I sat back and waiting for my print to come up. The judges first scored it then openly discussed their opinions. One judge focused the lighting and contrast and expressed they liked that it was crisp and not muddy. Another pointed out my husband’s ring and explained it elevated the image in its simplicity. Another was bugged by my five date old baby’s errant pinky which was a complete distraction to him. A pinky you guys!

Overall, I scored an 85 on a scale of 100, an outstanding score for my first competition print. The bigger win was putting my work up for evaluated among my professional peers.

After my second daughter was born I copied the original image and two hang in my dining room. You can see in this one the ring is still visible and that tiny thumb has a mind of its own, but to me it is perfect.