How Very Far I've Come...
Back in 2007 – when I was just beginning to build my photography business – I hadn't quite figured out that studio photography wasn't really the best fit for me.
I was just finishing up my photo program and still had access to the school's studios, so I used them often. Looking back, I recall how much I preferred the one studio with huge, North-facing windows – clearly already very much leaning towards working entirely with natural/ambient light.
I did a lot of mediocre work back then – was still resisting what came the most naturally to me (hangin' with kiddos n' bugs n' raindrops.) My primary critique teacher had convinced those were to be avoided. Instead, she strongly urged me to focus on 'Music' – creating imagery for album covers, etc. Of course – musicians are generally broke – so it wasn't a very lucrative choice!
Lots of people asked, and I was eager to get as many sessions under my belt as possible. Most of those sessions are embarrassing to look back on, but this was always one of my favorites. Nadia and I had a great rapport – I can see in these images that I was already becoming skillful at putting my subjects at ease and drawing out their personalities. I'm also pretty impressed with what I was able to do with such a crappy little 'kit' lens!
I was inspired to unearth these from my old hard-drives by a contest I happened upon that's sponsored by 
Perhaps, someday.
Nerdy Details: Canon EOS 30D • EFS17-85mm f4.0-5.6 • various shutter speeds • Vancouver, BC • 14, March 2007
Random sidenote/postscript – somehow I missed that moment when I crossed 1k followers, but I happened to catch it at a more magical number, anyway. If you're one of those 1,111 – thanks for bein' awesome!
