Exciting - first couple shoot!

This is an exciting day! Today, I am posting two of my first photos! The first is actually an accidental misfire, but I'm so pleased with how the bokay came out that I just have to share it! I call it "Self Portrait Shock!"

I know I've talked to many of you about my hopes to photograph a wedding one day, so you'll be thrilled to learn that I have photographed a couple! They appear to be in love, which is the most beautiful thing in the world, and something I hope to capture again soon!

I shot this, but really wanted a closer photo, preferably with their faces, so I walked toward them. It was only then that I realized they had hired a photographer to capture their engagement! Well, this was a great opportunity for me to learn! So, I shadowed their photographer, and whenever he would line up for what I assume was a really great shot, I'd shoot it too!

Unfortunately, those shots didn't turn out super great. But I've still got this one! I did have one photo turn out pretty neat - it was actually a shot of the back of the photographer's camera! However, he informed me that I couldn't share that as my own, and threatened legal action.

Whoa there, guy! I'm just here having some fun, trying to do something good and kind for this beautiful couple! Anyway, he kind of forced me to delete it, so that was that. Wish you could see it - it was a real award winning photo that I took!

Retirement and My First DSLR: The Canon Rebel!

Yesterday was my last day at the bank! Retirement is one of those things I've been looking forward to for 35 years, but the closer it got, the less certain I was about it. Will I be happy? Will I find fulfillment? Will I have a purpose? Thanks to my career and the bank's generous retirement package, we should be financially okay. But what about my soul? What's a man to do?

Well, after much soul searching, I came up with a plan!

Today, I purchased a Canon Rebel EOS D30 DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!

I can't get over how excited I am. Truly, this is a wonderful day. And this is not ordinary camera, this is a  Digital Camera, in my hands!

This mean machine boasts 3.1 MEGA Pixels, and the EF lens mount means all those lenses I bought back when the kids were young will work with it! Just like that, I'm in business!

It was a little pricey, especially considering the fact that I'll never charge anybody for my photography–I consider it my ministry–but I know it'll be worth it in the end. When I look at the hobbies my friends are into, this seems far more practical than another set of golf clubs.

It's March now, so we're just at the opening bell of Wedding Season! We haven't been invited to any weddings yet (not that I know of, I'll have to ask Marsha), but hopefully an invite will come soon. I can't WAIT to stretch my legs and snap a few frames of a bride and groom!

My goal is to always use my camera as a tool for good, to show love and kindness to my friends! With this new rig, I can hopefully capture something truly amazing and give it as a wedding gift! 

This is going to be a great year!