Professional me.

My husband is pretty much the best thing ever.

A few years ago I decided I wanted to become better at drawing. It was not a serious endeavor or one that I wanted to pursue professionally; I just wanted to understand shapes and faces, and be able to transfer a three-dimensional object to paper by hand. I’ve always admired folks who were natural artists. I don’t have that talent, but I wish I did.

Classes were not an option for me as I was working full-time and, really, all of my funds were going toward just surviving. But I turned on the heat and it became a serious hobby. I talked to graphic designers and real artists. The kind of artists that were pursuing this professionally. They were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on schooling and interning in studios in Hollywood, so you can imagine my timidity when I approached these people and asked them to look at my work. I should’ve died from embarrassment, but I really wanted to get better. A few good tips later and I was on my way, drawing faces of all things. For sure I thought I’d be a still-lifer, drawing apples and cups and other objects that didn’t move.

At the time, Rustin knew enough about me to know that this little light wouldn’t burn forever. But still, one night he surprised me with a set of graphite pencils and colored pencils, like the kind the pros use.

As you can see from my artistry I am not very good, and after speaking with professionals and buying a few books on improving this skill, I can say I’m a tad bit better, but not by much. Rustin supported the cause anyway. It didn’t matter to him what the outcome looked like, I was enjoying what I was doing and that was enough for him. That is why he is the best thing ever.

Now as much as I really really want to delete these drawings, they need to stick around just a bit longer to drive my point home.

During this short stint I learned a lot. I saw the world in shapes and ovals and shades and values. Which only enhanced how I already viewed the world…

I have always seen the world in photos; every memory a snapshot, every moment a still-frame. Drawing helped me out tons with getting to know angles and truly appreciating composition, lines, shape and light in photography. A side-effect I didn’t expect.

My little light for photography has never burnt out. I’ve always always always had a camera in my hands. Shooting nothing and everything. I had borrowed a film SLR from a friend after I bought my first digital point and shoot, and was amazed at how grand the photos looked compared to my little toy. So when the opportunity to purchase a DSLR arose, I jumped at the chance. Since then, I’ve taken every occasion to better mah skillz mostly by shooting landscapes and nature.

Like my drawing escapade, I went to the pros. I talked with professional photographers, friends, anybody who had an inkling of appreciation for photography. And also like learning to draw a strange thing happened, I began taking photos of people. Another side-effect I was not expecting. Oddly enough, I quite enjoyed it.

This time though, Rustin did not buy me a few lenses or a tripod. In fact, he didn’t buy me anything. Instead, one day he said, “You need to do this professionally.” I waved my arms about and shook my head. And then I stopped and thought, why not?

Could I possibly do this? Would people actually pay me to do this?

So I took a few test drives, and the answer was yes. People were paying me, and they were happy! And it made me happy that they were happy! But mostly it made me happiest to just take photos!

With a few play and pay sessions under my belt and I’ve decided to listen to my husband and do this professionally. I like to think that he didn’t purchase any “pro” gadgetry for me this time because he thinks I’m super duper awesome (unlike my drawings which could’ve used all the help they could get), but you know, I like to put reasons in his head.

What makes me the luckiest person on this planet is having been chosen for a life partner by someone who has so much faith in me. Even if it all goes to shit, even if I never book another session. He is already so proud of me, and it’s more than I can bear, really.

So here I am, folks. Stay tuned for more as I try to get this little business of mine rolling. More to come soon.