Business talk: What motivated me to become a Photographer? | How I became a professional Lincolnshire photographer
My story begins pretty much like everyone else. I was a child, and I loved art and photography. Come along for my journey…
Childhood:
My childhood wasn’t full of sunshine, but one thing my mother taught me was the value of photography. I guess she followed in my Grandma’s footsteps, and she often took photos during my childhood, except she wasn’t in them with me. My Grandma Phyllis had a shelf like ours full of traditional photo albums, where she would write the dates on the back of the photos to remind her of when and where. I vividly remember having great joy in looking through our photo albums. Even to this day, I can remember the sound which was created when peeling back the plastic sleeves, and the smell which came from within, all etched into my memory!
Since I was a little girl, I have always been fond of art and photography. In the summer of ’96, I was 11 years old, and I spent time taking photos around our farm, using a 35mm film camera, which I deeply loved. However, I had to wait an entire week to get my photos back! (Besides, I wasn’t allowed to take too many photos, because the film was expensive, and yeah, they came out rubbish!) I was then given my own photo album.
When I was 14, I was hit with my first loss: my Grandfather Cliff died suddenly, and I was heartbroken, left with only photos of him.
The power of memories: This taught me how photographs provide power through remembering and cherishing memories.
My Grandfather Cliff.
RIP: 6.12.99.
Education and work:
I took Art for my GCSEs; however, this took two classes. Subsequently, I dropped out to pursue my GNVQ Health and Social Care class, which conflicted with one of my art classes. I wanted to work with children, so it was better for me to have the GNVQ qualification, rather than the Art.
I did a year at Sixth Form before moving to Gainsborough. I attended College, studying a Diploma in Childcare. After graduating, aged 19, I worked as a Nursery nurse, and as the years passed by, I did less and less art.
By the time I was turning 21, I started creating art again. I did a course in Art and Agriculture that summer and had my Artwork showcased in the Lincoln Collection gallery for the year (2006-2007). During this course, I was introduced to photography and began ‘play’ modelling with my friends.
19th February 2007 left me with a pain that could never be healed, the loss of my father to suicide. I was left with only a few photos of him.
My Father doing some modelling.
RIP: 19.02.07.
The summer of 2007 was spent studying an NVQ in Art and Design, which introduced me to Photoshop, following a foundation degree in Fine Art, where I got my first digital camera and began modelling as a hobby.
I started my Fine Art degree at Derby University and hit a brick wall. Although I was doing something I loved, I lacked confidence in my skills, so I dropped out of my degree.
The following summer, I began going to my local adult education centre, doing short courses on art and mental health. By the end of 2009, I had found myself and wanted to pursue my love for art.
During my modelling, I had realised I was asking more questions about the photographer’s cameras and lighting setups and analysing everything about my images, when it suddenly hit me - I wanted to become a photographer!
My photography career:
In 2010, I set out to become a photographer using my little Kodak Easy Share camera, taking photos of my friends and models. At first, I was using auto and figuring out the basics of Photoshop.
That summer, I went to college to study creative media, where I found myself unexpectedly pregnant with my daughter. I graduated in 2012 and turned my focus from model portraits to family, events, and wedding photography.
Timeline of my Photography Journey:
January 2010 - My first model photoshoot.
February 2010 - I set up my “Nocternal artist photography” Facebook fan page as my business.
February 2010 - First independent 1-2-1 photography training.
January 2011 - First Maternity Photoshoot.
May 2011- First baby photoshoot.
May 2011- First DSLR (A second-hand Canon 450D camera).
July 2011- First children’s photoshoot.
January 2012 - First Wedding.
March 2012- I start going to a camera club (1 year).
September 2012 - Graduated from college with a Diploma in Creative Media.
September 2012 - Upgraded my Camera (Sony A65).
May 2014 - First specialized newborn training workshop: Tracy Willis’ basic newborn posing.
I subsequently grew from there.
I know that my story is not unique; it’s like most photographers - many say they fell in love with photography at a young age or after they had children. But for me, it is an artistic passion, so this is my story.
I would love to get to know you better. Please comment below 🙂
Learn about how I’ve stayed in business for 15 years here.
Love and light, Victoria Louise.
