I created a monster and I didn’t even mean to.
When I was younger, much younger, I loved to take pictures.I had several of those 60’s and 70’s instant cameras and took tons of film with them.When I graduated from college, my mom gave me an SLR camera.I loved taking photos with it but I didn’t know much about photography.I never took a class.I never read a book on photography.I just enjoyed it.As I started a family, I got newer cameras but I always came back to my SLR.However, my husband thought that I didn’t need all those cameras so when I got a fancy schmancy Olympus automatic camera, he gave my SLR to his brother who was also into photography.I always wanted to get another one.However, I knew I didn’t have the time to invest in photography as a hobby so I waited.I encouraged my kids to try photography.They enjoyed it and took it as a class in school.I was pleased that we shared an interest in photography but then they went on to other things.
When I moved north in 2004, I found and ad on Craigslist.It was for a Canon SLR with lenses and filters and a bag and it was well priced.I contacted the seller and bought it.I was pleased that I was finally going to get to experiment with my camera.About two weeks later, my daughter, Susie, and I went to a hot air balloon festival nearby.It was our first time going and we were both fascinated by it.We decided to go again the second day.This time, Susie wanted to take my camera.She had a digital camera but she wanted to take the SLR.I let her.From that day on, she took an even greater interest in photography.My camera was hers.
Since then, I have bought two more cameras for myself, only to have her keep them.She also learned to develop and print her own pictures and I got her the enlarger and other equipment, also on Craigslist. Then she moved on to digital SLRs and has purchased two of them.She is planning on going to college at an Art school and concentrating on Photography as a career.
I still don’t have my SLR.But I am very pleased that my love of photography sparked an interest in Susie, an interest that has kept her going for several years and appears to be her future.
And there’s still time for me to get my own SLR, once she’s not around so I can keep it this time!
I inherited my soul sister’s old SLR which unfortunately is up in the cupboard collecting dust at the moment (as it needs a new battery door and its impossible even in a major city to track down the parts!)
But I’ve been encouraged by her to go and layby myself a new one (as they are now ridiculously cheap) so I need to go and do that. Years of posing for my two photorapher friends, or helping with the light and composition of the shots – just made me want to get out there and take photos.
I’m hoping to spread my love of writing with those close to me – a good friend has started back writing short stories and I’m working on my partner.
What a beautiful gift to have been able to share with so many people (and that’s before we count the gift of all those photos and memories collected to share forever!)
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Aren’t you glad, though, that she found something that really speaks to her?
I’d wait until she was gone before buying anything else! 🙂
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You sparked a real love for an art in your daughter. I think that’s wonderful. You’re a good Mom.
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I would love to have a nice digital camera although I can’t complain about my Sony it’s just that SLR would be heavenly to take pictures with.
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I’ve wanted to do the hot air balloon thing for years. Is it as fun and peaceful as it sounds?
I did parachute once. That was fun once the chute opened but before it opened, it was a realm of terror that I personally never want to repeat.
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What a wonderful career for her, and something that you are both interested in will spark many adventures and conversations for years to come. I kept taking my kid to Disneyworld and look what happened!
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That’s so awesome! I think photography is my favorite art form.
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When I was in high school I signed up for the only after school program that interested me: Photography. Unfortunately, I had to drop out after the first meeting because I found that it wasn’t like music where they provide you with the instrument if you can’t afford your own. The best I could do was a camera with 110 film and the snobby teacher said that wasn’t good enough.
I wish I could send him a few of my photos now. 😉
I see my granddaughter, even at a very young age, taking up my love of photography and find it so exciting to see someone in my family (of the younger generation) picking up the spark.
I hope your daughter’s spark leads her to many great shots and lots of adventures.
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I found your blog through a comment you left me. I’m sitting here baffled because I’m listening to a CD through my computer, and “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” keeps breaking in. I couldn’t figure out what happening. Then I noticed your blog name. 🙂 I’ve always liked that song.
As for the photography, I’m just starting to take pictures with a digital camera and liking it much more than I thought I would. How great for you to share an interest with your daughter.
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Isn’t it great when they love the same things we do?
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That is so endlessly cool, that you helped your daughter find her passion in life … not by pushing or suggesting, but by providing the best example possible, and following your own passion.
That’s something that was really missing from my childhood … all my parents did was work and, you know, spend time hating each other. 🙂 It’s amazing to me now to realize that I’ve been working full-time since I was eighteen. I never had an example set by an adult who did something they loved, simply for joy.
Your showing that to your daughter was a great gift to her, Corina.
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Thanks Guys (and Gals)! She’ll read this and come say something about how I had nothing to do with it. Just wait and see!
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Reblogged this on Wasted Days And Wasted Nights and commented:
Sharing this ten year old post today, World Photography Day.
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Frankly, I’m amazed by the comments here. Thanks for posting this again which enabled me to see it. I have five children who went on to have children themselves, some of whom are fine adults not and living their own lives. I’ve given a lot of things to my children and grandchildren, but always felt I had to live my own life as well. I am very sorry that you gave a number of cameras away without keeping one for yourself and going on to learn more about using it. Forgive me for saying it, but I think you’re too generous; that you should worry a little more about your own needs, as much as you love your children and grand children.
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