Business talk: What motivated me to become a Photographer? | How I became a professional Lincolnshire photographer

Photography

1 Jan

My story begins pretty much like everyone else, I was a child and I loved art and photography, but 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. 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.

Education and work:

I did take Art for my GCSEs, however, this took 2 classes, subquently I dropped out to pursue my GNVQ Health and Social Care class, which was on during one of the 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 was severely depressed and had to stop working, I found myself extremely lost with a deep sorrow inside of me. I felt that I had to go on this journey to find myself. So I started creating art again. I did a course in Art and Agriculture that summer and had my Artwork showcased in 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. Although I hadn’t seen him since I was 16, I was left with only a few photos of him.

My Father doing some modelling.
RIP: 19.02.2007.

My Grandma Phylis also died that December of 2007, losing both my grandparents on my mum’s side by 22.

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 was very ill with mental health issues, and I dropped out of my degree to recover at the end of 2008.

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 just 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.

Last days - My Grandfather Morrice.
RIP: 7.07.2018.

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, and it helps with my mental health. 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.