Not many people know how I got into photography, so I thought it would be fun to do a little flashback to my very first photography gig as a String Sports Photographer for my hometown newspaper, the Williamson County Sun.
Yes, I said SPORTS. Crazy, huh? Starting out, I actually was not interested in weddings – not one bit! I don’t even know how many times I said “I will NEVER do weddings” before shooting my first one, but let me tell you, it was A LOT! I absolutely love weddings now, but that’s another story for another day. 🙂
Back to being a Sports Photographer: I landed this gig my Junior year in high school while I was taking a photojournalism class. My brother was doing really well in powerlifting and the local newspaper was following him throughout the season. During one of his meets, the reporter who had been writing articles on my brother mentioned to my mom that he had lost one of his string photographers and was having trouble covering all of the events. So my mom, being the loving and super-supportive mom she’s always been, eagerly said, “My daughter is a photographer – you should see some of her work!”
Well, he took her up on it and the next week I found myself at our high school’s softball game taking photos from the dugout (because it was raining), and shooting completely on Auto – or maybe the “sports” setting – with an old DSLR camera we had at home. I had learned enough of the basics (rule of thirds, perspective, etc.) in my photojournalism class to somehow get hired and start working for the Sports Editor, Doug Dodson, aka: “The Sports Guy.”
From there I got random assignments throughout the year to take photos of various events and games at the high school and throughout town. I’d go take photos, pick out a few of the best ones, edit them, write cutlines and then email them to Doug… and then make a run for the closest newspaper stand on Wednesdays and Sundays to grab a copy of my photos in print!
They aren’t the prettiest things, but everyone starts somewhere, right?! Enjoy browsing through a few old copies I found – circa 2008:
This was my Press Pass. There’s actually a funny story behind why it is GINORMOUS: I had an assignment to photograph one of the high school sports banquets and afterwards mentioned to Doug that I was having trouble getting people to listen to me for the group photo for several reasons: 1) I was a student and in class with these kids and 2) I’m small, and sometimes it just takes a little extra something to get people to take you seriously. (Shorties: Can I get an Amen?!) So Doug’s solution to my delimma was to make me a Press Pass three-times the size of my other one for me to wear around my neck – and it worked!
I actually remember being very upset about this one because the printer blurred the image on the left – and it was NOT blurry when I sent it in! Haha (You fellow photographers will understand my feelings on that.)
I was so excited for this one! It was on the front page of the Sports section and in COLOR! I also took photos for about 45 minutes and got paid $30 ($10/published photo). I remember thinking about how I made $30 in less than an hour doing something I loved – which was awesome.
Little did I know that this would be the start of the road to having my own photography business, and I’m so glad it was!
Angie:
You are such a great source of pride for me. You have come a long way since the “old days” and I am not surprised in the least at your success. You showed me you had initiative and talent and never disappointed me (In fact you usually amazed me!). You were a gift from God! And now you have gone from “shooter” to “photographer.” Wow!
I am proud to call you my friend. Remember- success is up to you. This is a lesson you have learned well. I wish you all the great things in life and, of course, Gods grace to always shine upon your shoulders. You may be small in stature, but you have a giant heart.