Why I became a photographer

I've always liked to take photographers, but had never really considered photography seriously.  By trade, I am a private respiratory nurse.  When I had children, of course, I always had the camera out.  My Daddy used to fuss when I would take my girls to commercial places to have their picture made.  He always said that the pictures I took at home were better than the ones I was paying for.  After a long struggle with cancer, my Daddy passed away.  One of the ways that I dealt with the grief was to turn to the camera he had often encouraged me toward.   I had a Kodak Z series camera.  It had manual functions as well as auto even though it was a point and shoot.  I decided that I wanted to learn how to use it in manual.  I searched all over the internet and library for information that would teach me.  And yes, I even read the camera manual.  This led to a basic understanding of camera settings- shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.  I also learned a bit about the art side of photography and design elements.  I began to get much better.  I decided to buy a DSLR- Canon Rebel.  This was a bit frustrating.  Even though I knew how to operate the camera manually on a basic level, I had to deal with lenses I knew nothing about, I had no photo editing software, and had only a rudimentary understanding of lighting.  I had taught myself as much as I could and decided that my next step would be classes.  Luckily our local college has an excellent photography program and I am finishing up my first year of school.  I would like to say that I haven't been in this alone.  I have had an excellent support system among my closest friends who have encouraged me and kept me from giving up along the way.  And have patiently suffered through modeling for me.  I would encourage anyone that has a real interest in photography to seek classes.  Even with the knowledge I had beforehand, classes have been priceless in filling in the gaps and giving me a strong understanding of my camera, equipment and using what I have to create incredible pictures.