Back To The Roots

People are surprised when I tell them I’m not a professional. 

I don’t exactly remember what prompted a creative drive in me to picking up a camera. If I were to pinpoint a moment of recollection, it was flipping through the pages of my middle school yearbook and completely dissatisfied with the black and white snapshots. I thought I could take better photos and I also wanted my own memories.

I started using my aunt’s point and shoot camera and soon asked my parents for my own camera. I was lucky enough when they afforded me a more advanced point and shoot and later buying me a beginner DSLR camera. I took it with me everywhere I went; I was known by all my friends as the ‘photographer’. 

I never did photography other than for myself. I never did photography to make money or become famous. I never did photography to gain social media followers, become sponsored, or published. It was for the simple joy of creating art, being outside, building a connection with nature. Learning photography was just fun.

I believe that’s the best approach to photography, you get all the good shots with no ego involved. Perhaps that’s the best approach to life. 

Now I don’t even care if a photo is not sharp or perfectly composed. I don’t care about buying the latest camera equipment. Heck, sometimes I don’t even care about taking the photo. I’m just having fun, and enjoying myself. 

This is my talent, my art, my gift to the world. This is the medium in which I’m able to  share my expression and perspective of the world. How I started photography has become my philosophy in life: 

I will do it myself, and I will do it better. 
I’m doing it only for myself, and just for fun.

September 5, 2010 | Photography & Art