One of my most favorite photographers Amy Wenzel and the wonderful people from Iheartfaces are doing a giveaway for Amy's workshop. I would love to go to this workshop but can't afford it at this time, and who knows when I will be able to, so I have decided to enter their contest. Frankly I feel a little silly doing it, I never win anything. LOL But here goes nothing.
My story:
I don't have fancy words to describe my story and I frankly don't know how I have inspired the people in my life. I do know that I am passionate about photography, and I am passionate about the world around me. Seeing wild flowers in a field move my soul. I've been a daydreamer since I can remember. Often I find myself dreaming about the places I want to see and the people I want to meet. I want to photograph the undiscovered. I want to show everyone how beautiful each and everyone of us is. How unique we are.
I love meeting new people and making new friends. In high school a teacher nicknamed me "the social butterfly". I have always enjoyed doing charcoal portraits and painting beautiful oil landscapes but nothing can describe how I feel when I take a picture. My camera allows me to have instant gratification. I haven't always had a world full of fields with wildflowers and the warmth of the sun to inspire, but I have overcome a lot and I share my stories with anyone who will listen. Stories that remind us that in our troubles- we are not alone.
I love giving back to my clients and my community. I am a member of The American Child's Photography Guild and I have been able to serve families with children with cancer, preemie's with little chance of living and babies born stillborn. This year I am photographing one single parent a month. I want them to know that the Lord loves them and I want them to have faith during the hard times. It is my gift to them because I know how lonely it can get as a single parent myself. I am also working with other charity's and shooting two weddings for free for two amazing families who can't afford a photographer. I do it because I want to give of myself, I want to take off a burden from someone in need and I want to bring a smile to their face. I do it because I have seen the darkest of places and have had the blessings of those who gave of themselves to me and passing it on is the way to say thank you.
I am a silly emotional person and I can be found sharing some tears while a bride and her dad share their dance (wishing I had a Father to share that bond with), if a client is feeling self conscious about curious people passing by I will do my "jiggy dance" to get the attention on me and lighten the mood or you will see me laughing at the outrageous things children do while I photograph them.
I am shy about my photography and know I have a lot of learning to do. Going to the workshop will help me improve my work and continue to be able to serve others as well as be able to provide for my son and I. I would be delighted to win and I would be honored to learn but either way, I am happy to share my story.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and wish me luck!!!
This is what makes you a wonderful photographer. Its that your a wonderful person first. You inspire kindness and generosity. Because you are kind and generous. Your story was touching, I am sure you will be selected to attend. One day I am certain you will be hosting your own seminar!!
ReplyDeleteWhy are you inspiring? Because you are a nice person, because you really care. I told you after the first time meeting you that I felt like we were old girlfriends. I can still remember the feeling from that day. So fun!
ReplyDeleteYou also take time to help others. The simplest of comments have made my heart soar! You rock! Best of luck!
El exito está en tus manos. Eres excelente!!!!! y cada día continuarás logrando mayores cosas. Declaro bendicion para tu vida.
ReplyDeleteWow, these comments are so encouraging and sweet. Thank you so much for telling me these things! Angie, I think of you often and wish we could go hang out. I need to just make you Puerto Rican food! Thank you Anonymous, Angie and Migdalia. xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteYou are irresistible and talented, so you will be where you want to be!......Te deseo el mayor de los éxitos, que es para los talentosos. La suerte es para cualquiera. Love Ya.......Uchy
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing both at photography and just as a person. You give,give,give! Your work is beautiful and you deserve to win this contest more than anyone I know. Good luck. I hope you win.
ReplyDeleteThey probably won't read the comments, but just in case they do...let me help you understand how Raquel has inspired ME.
ReplyDeleteI first met Raquel when a friend of mine hosted a photography play date. It was at a small apartment complex, and she only charged a small fee for each mom and kids together. I had never hired a professional photographer before and thought it was just as good to have our own family pics taken with our camera. I thought our "candid" was better...
But I did the play date to give a little Father's Day gift to my husband. She did a fantastic job! But when Father's Day arrived, my husband was SO disappointed. He wanted to be in the pics! ;)
So we had her take some family pics, and I couldn't believe the things she captured. She has an amazing eye. I purchased a CD of our day, and I spent hours just pouring through the pictures, loving all of them. My walls are covered with fun, candid shots of things I never could have imagined. My debit card has a pic of one of my babies that she took that day, and everyone comments on it whenever I swipe.
She inspired me as a customer to never be a slacker mom who lets time slip by without having someone capture our precious babies. We moved far away from Raquel after that session, and I was forced to hire someone else who, unfortunately, had less of a creative eye but charged even more! We miss Raquel (almost 4 years later, and I'm still checking her blog)!!
Thank you for sharing your creativity and inspiring me. I want to be a better mom every time I see the fun images you captured of our family. Amazing.