Passion for Pictures

I remember as a kid wondering why there were so few pictures of me and why I didn't have a baby book. I guess that's what happens when your number four born of five. I was lucky to be fed let alone have a picture taken of me. Influenced by my next door neighbor and friend, I soon became the family historian. I took pictures at every event and created scrapbooks (before there was "scrapbooking") to chronicle my life's events. I've always had a camera in hand and photos to share with the masses. So I guess it shouldn't come to any surprise to you, although it did to me, that I would love to be a photographer. I ultimately discovered this desire on a recent trip to Europe. Although I have a great point and shoot digital camera, I got the opportunity to use my friend's DSLR camera. I don't think you can really feel like a photographer until you take pictures with one. The size of the camera, looking through the viewfinder instead of the display screen, the sound and speed of the shutter, and the focusing of the lens all contribute to the photographer experience! I was addicted immediately! I even took a picture of myself that day in Barcelona in a mirror and stated it was going to be my profile pic on my photography website, charlablue.com. Granted I had a good buzz going on at the time (as a result of our stop every hour shopping spree for wine & tapas), I had a vision!