I have always considered myself a hobby photographer. I slept through photography class in highschool. I got really excited about shooting photos just as analog was turning into digital so I kind of missed my chance to shoot with film. I got my first digital Canon Powershot at 19, before leaving on a trip to travel Europe and Turkey with a friend. The first half of that trip was consumed by me and my camera. The second half of that trip, and probably still to this day, the camera spent at the bottom of an Irish river. *sigh*
Next camera was a Nikon early digital model, with a viewing 
screen that flipped up and could swivel. I loved that camera and took it on my next trip through Portugal and back to Ireland. After several years of heavy usage and heavy hands ( I am not the carefullest) it crapped out on me.
Next camera was back to Canon, with the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 which was great for taking nice photos of my kids and was small and sturdy and easy to use.
When I started my blog, I shot almost exclusively with my Iphone 4. When that died on me, I upgraded to an Iphone 5. For some reason I didin’t feel like the photo quality was as good with the 5. Maybe I was just underwhelmed by how much I paid for the damn thing.
When I decided to really pursue blogging and sharing photographs, it was time for a higher end camera. I wanted something that was small and user friendly but also that shot very high quality photos in different lighting. I decided against full format to save space and bulk. I liked the idea of carrying my camera in my pocket if need be. I went for a mirror-less Sony DSC-RX100 which I absolutely adore. It shoots pretty, clear, balanced photos and is great for both fun time family and DIY hair time. Only problem for blogging is that it doesn’t have a tether-and-remote capability, which I’ve come to find out is essential for shooting ones-self effectively.
I have had the privilege of working on various photo shoots with some incredible photographers. My faves……Bill Anthony. Alixandra Brown. Bob Cochran. Sian Kennedy. On location, I drill them about their cameras. I mostly don’t know the language that they speak about ISO and F-stop and light meters. I am an experiential learner to the max. Tell me something, I might forget. Show me something, I might remember. Put a camera in my hands and let me play with it, I will figure it out and know it for life.
I decided to stop being intimidated by full format, and learn to use a real camera. I wanted to break the cycle of maxing out camera capability and moving on to the next model. It was time to go big or go home. So, I sold my car and bought a new camera. I got the one that the pros use. I made a pact with myself to learn the craft of proper photography by feeling it out, being patient and curious, playing around, keeping my toddlers grabby hands the hell away from it, and taking great care of it so that I can use it forever and ever. I got a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and I am like a damn kid in a candy store. This is the best big kid toy ever made. It is a Behemoth of a beautiful machine and it makes photos look better than reality without altering anything. WTF?
I plan on sharing some really pretty pictures with you from now on:) The pictures in this post are only the beginning. You get to witness me learn to take better photos and break through my ‘fear of machines’ mental block here on HTHG.
Here is to working hard and giving yourself permission to deserve the best for once. Cheers!
XO, HTHG
