Friends in photography
I mostly blog to talk about my learning to be a better photographer and to share photographs that I have taken. Today I just want to talk about the friends that I’ve made because of photography. I’ve only been serious about photography for a few years, but, in this short time I have become acquainted with people that I consider to be good friends, even if I have only met them a few times.
I got to thinking about this because of the recent events in Egypt, and my good friend Marco who lives there with his wife Francesca and his son Max. Marco and I usually touch base every other week or so by email, Twitter, Facebook or Skype. I met Marco on the day before the Italy Within the Frame Workshop this past April. We spent the day “warming up” for the workshop, shooting around Genoa. We
immediately hit it off and spent a lot of time together during the workshop, shooting, talking, processing and drinking Ardbeg. I consider Marco not only to be a friend, but also someone who has helped me a great deal in my photographic journey, especially in my pursuit of pet photography. Since the protests have started there has been very little contact with Marco as internet service has been cut, including all social network sites and cell service. Many a tweets were sent out with well wishes, and the other day Gavin Gough was finally able to reach Marco by phone and graciously relayed the message via Twitter to the rest of us. It was a relief to hear that he and his family were safe.
It’s amazing how much caring there is amongst the photographic community. I guess it’s the bond that we create in pursuit of the craft that we all love.
Amongst the people that I have been lucky enough to get to know over the past three or four years, all have been nothing but kind, generous and giving. Whether through reading each other’s blogs or actually getting to spend some time shooting together here’s a short list:
Marco Ryan, Stuart Sipahigil, David duChemin, Jeffrey Chapman, Eli Reinholdtsen, Sabrina Henry, Craig Allyn Rose, Dorothy Brown…and there’s more.
So thank you to all of you for making my journey into photography and my life richer. I can’t wait to see you all again. And, cheers to Marco. Let’s hope that all turns out well for him and has family.
It’s so true Jeff that we are part of an amazing community and it’s at times like this that we reflect on how important each of these people are to us. I know that Marco would agree with you too if only he had internet access!
January 30, 2011 at 8:53 pm
I agree, it’s more fun when you can share and learn with friends.
I didn’t know you were interested in Pet Photography. I am too. Good to know.
January 30, 2011 at 9:11 pm
I have been developing my pet photography business for about 6 months now! I really enjoy it…do you have a portfolio?
January 31, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Closest thing to a portfolio are my Flickr Sets:
Dogs: http://bit.ly/hoEums
and
Emily(1997-2009):http://bit.ly/gCfmNm
Pets and kids are fun to shoot. However, my “vocation” takes me out of town a lot of the time during the spring, summer, and fall months. I assume that’s when pet photo’s are most demanded. Besides, who would hire a pet photographer who doesn’t own a dog? I have a cat but I assume it’s mostly dogs that get their photos done. I’m not ready for another dog right now.
January 31, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Jeff, I couldn’t agree more. The kindness, closeness and generosity of those I’ve met in the world of photography are amazing. Even if I were to never create another photograph, I’d still wish to be a part of this community and would proudly call all of you friends.
January 31, 2011 at 3:20 am
I am honored to be included on this list, Jeff. I agree with everything that’s already been said here. Discovering and becoming part of this community has been such a joy. It has opened a whole new world for me in so many ways. Many thanks to all of you.
January 31, 2011 at 6:01 am
I feel honored to be on your list too, Jeff. Five of us were with you in Italy, and that was truly a magical experience. My personal favorite days were those spent in Venice.
I guess we owe in to the photographic community, that we felt that we were already old friends when we first met.
Hopefully we’ll get some more “physical meeting points” along the way.
So happy about your pet photography business and I could easily see how much you loved dogs then so when I discovered “Pet Photography” my first thought was: “Of Course! That’s it!”
February 1, 2011 at 8:35 am