From Family Memories to Professional Passion: My Photography Journey

Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s not just a hobby or something I do to pay the bills; it’s a thread woven through my family history and personal experiences. This post is a little peek into how my journey shaped who I am today and why I am passionate about capturing moments through my lens.

Early Exposure to Photography in My Family

Growing up, cameras were always within reach. My parents never missed a chance to capture not only the big celebrations but also the quiet, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. I have THOUSANDS of pictures good and bad in my family albums and hard drives. Every vacation, holiday, birthday, school activity was accounted for. If I'm being totally honest is wholly underappreciated the value of what they did in the moment. I think most kids would but I am so grateful they valued capturing those memories as much as they did.

Both of my grandfathers had their own unique ways of engaging with photography. One was fascinated by the technical side, experimenting with different cameras and film types. The other focused on, well, as many pictures he could take of his grandkids as humanly possible. Their passion was contagious even if I didn't know it at that point.

Somebody trusted me enough for some reason to hand me their very expensive camera

As a child, I was lucky to have access to equipment and cameras to channel my inner shutterbug. I spent countless hours on the beach, photographing nature and capturing my family members as they enjoyed their water sports. Of course there are plenty of blurry photos of my stuffed animal collection too.

Using older equipment also helped me appreciate the craft behind each shot. I learned how lighting, angles, and timing affect the final image. There is nothing quite like shooting an image without knowing what it's going to turn out like until after it's too late. That kind of learning teaches you REAL quick.

Shifting Focus and Rediscovering Creativity

When I went to university, my studies took me in a different direction. Although I was focused on my degree, I always felt a pull toward creative outlets. I majored in Marketing and took every possible tiny opportunity to do something creative. Even if it was just volunteering to make a poster or something I was itching for more of that in my day to day.

After graduating, I worked in marketing for over five years. While this experience was valuable and I worked hard as heck for my clients I found myself missing the creative freedom that photography offered.

Reigniting the Passion

The white Pentax camera had been sitting unused for years in my photography bag, but once I started using it again, I couldn’t stop. I began by taking photos for my employers and family, enjoying the process of capturing moments that mattered. This rekindled passion led me back to school to sharpen my skills and gain professional knowledge.

Going back to school was a turning point. It gave me the confidence to pursue photography seriously and helped me understand the business side of the craft. I learned about lighting techniques, composition, editing, and client communication, all of which prepared me to offer high-quality work. I also met some of the sweetest and most amazingly talented other photographers during my time there. Some days I honestly miss Thursday night classes in the basement of the Senator Burns Building haha.

How Family Inspired My Professional Path

Looking back, it’s clear that my family’s love for photography is the reason I do what I do today. Their encouragement and example gave me the tools and space to discover my passion for myself.

Photography is more than just taking pictures for me. It’s about preserving memories, telling stories, and connecting with people. Every session I do carries a piece of my family’s legacy, and I strive to honor that in my work. Every time I capture memories for other I think back on the decades of work my parents did to create their collection of family memories and I smile thinking maybe, just maybe I'm contributing a little bit of that to somebody elses life.

Until next time ;)

-Michaela