Welcome!!!!!

If you are reading this blog you are just as interested in photography as me, if not more (if that's possible). Creating this blog is going to be my way of tracking my progress, as well as my accountability partner. I also want to use this blog to help grease the wheels of those who are interested in photography, but haven't found that "push" to go out and get it done.  So, lets get started....

About me:

I am a college graduate who is currently making a switch in careers. I used to be a teacher but now my main focus is becoming a dentist!  Where does photography fit in? Photography and dentistry are very closely related in my opinion. Being able to understand lighting, angles, shades, proportions, and attention to detail are essential in both fields. I can use these concepts when creating a tooth or capturing a memory. Last but not least, I want to use photography as a source of income (to pay for classes, application fees, travel, student loans) as I switch careers.

The Decision:

I decided to seriously pursue photography after my sister got married in 2014. Though I was a groomsman in her wedding, I brought along my T2i (with the kit lens)and snapped as many pictures as I could throughout the event. I ending up talking with her wedding photographer, Teshorn Jackson and he was just an amazing resource and guide. He gave me crash courses on iso, aperture, and shutter speed, told me about his equipment, and even let me use his trigger and strobe setup to snap a family shot. (<- that was a long sentence). So I made a plan to pursue photography full time. 

Where I am now....

So, as I write this blog my under standing of aperture, iso, and shutter speed is better that when I started. However, there is still this great big mountain of photography that I still need to explore. To this day I currently have only had 1 paid gigs, one city walk, and 100s of at home shoots staring my wife and daughter since I started in 2014. Know that you are getting the real deal when I say, I AM AN AMATEUR.  

What you must know....

My goal is to clarify and provide information that makes learning the art of photography easier. There are going to be better resources for explaining certain topics than I can. Remember this is my personal journey. Feel free to use my understanding and experience to become BETTER than me as a photographer.  Take the information that helps you understand the best, and throw everything else out of the window. 

You know your learning style the best. Take that learning style, and make photography work for you. Once you learn it, teach it.  I am a strong believer that if you can't teach it to a kid, you don't know it well enough. 

I am not here to bash on anyone! Period! We are in a world where differences exists, and I accept that. What I like and what you like may differ greatly. However, those differences makes us who we are. 

Currently, I don't know what photographic genre I am aiming for. However, the principles of photography should stay true as I shoot, develop, and grow. I will eventually narrow down my choice and focus on 1-2 specific genres. My gear and journals will then cater to that style of shooting. For other genres I will definitely get you the right resources. 

My gear....

Let it be known that all my gear is Canon. Why? Because, Canon is what I started on. It is what I have known, and that's the only reason. You can take remarkable picture no matter what brand you use.  You just have to learn the fundamentals.  Here it is:

Canon 5D Mark III 

Canon 70-200 f2.8L

Canon 85 f1.8 

Canon 50 f1.8

Sigma 35 f1.4

YN (yongnuo) 600ex

Canon 430ex II

YN trigger system

3 Umbrellas, 2 stands, and 1 reflector