Let's Get Real...

Today has been a great day. I woke up to 28 degree weather, and snow flurries. I'd call that a great Friday morning. :)

I decided to make the most of it. By that, I mean skipping putting on makeup since I was, after all, only going to the grocery store, right? Well, as I went through the self check-out, the girl just stood over me as though I were trying to shoplift groceries. I guess maybe she thought I could fit my 5 lb bag of potatoes into my wristlet? Who knows. At any rate, it made me feel like I obviously should not leave my house without makeup. Lesson learned. haha!

Now that I got my humor out, I want to get real with you.
Being the new girl anywhere, no matter what age, can be a really tough thing sometimes. For me, it almost became exciting because I moved around a lot as a kid. I remember my first days at new schools, and how I always had to find that new place I belonged, or those new friends I was supposed to make. It took some time, but I always learned who the "mean girls" were, and tried my best to avoid them.
I just knew that one day, I would settle into some place that fit. That place where I would have that incredible group of friends who would always be there for me. You know, the ones you can call at 2am, or who build you up instead of trashing you because of some silly reason?
Let's just say, no matter where I moved, or how many schools I went through, I never found that. I found some amazing friends along the way, but I've never had "that group".
Little did I know...they don't really exist. Sure, you can have a group of girlfriends, but do you REALLY?
It has been my experience that whichever poor girl is left out of a get together suddenly becomes the topic of conversation-and not in a good way. And, I'm sad something I held out hope for all these years turned out to be such a letdown.
I don't really mean that as a bad thing, but I just know now that it doesn't take a "group" of friends. I only need one really awesome one to "fit".

Onto my photography career.
I wanted to become a photographer because I loved it. Trust me, if I'd wanted to become a millionaire, I so would have chosen a different path. I chose it because it gives me a creative outlet, and it allows me to connect with people on a very personal level.  Having the power to treat people nicely, and make money at it...sign me up. :)

When I was just getting started, I had a few incredible people who were not afraid at all to lift me up, encourage me, and tell me all of their "secrets of the trade".  By the way, I hate that term. It's not a secret, no matter how much you think it is. If someone is willing to learn, they will find a way. So, why not just be nice and help them out? :)
If those people hadn't helped me, it would have taken me so long to get anywhere, and who knows, I may have given up. That is such a sad thought for me.
I am so grateful for their help, and that is why I love helping others. I can't tell you how many phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, etc. I get from people who just bought their first camera, or got it as a gift. They are so excited, but feel they don't know where to start. I want them to hold onto that excitement. It's supposed to be fun.
Now, I have experienced many photographers who get mad when someone wants them to share their knowledge. They seem to think they are going to "steal" their ideas. Let's face it. Just like in the music industry, or any other industry, we are all influenced by those before us. It's 2012. Pretty much everything's already been done. Now, that doesn't mean you can't try, or that you should be boring. It just means the tighter you hold onto the knowledge you have vs. sharing it with others, the more insignificant your life becomes.

I believe that every day you wake up, you have a choice to make about the kind of person you want to become. The things you do each day just build on top of each other to make you either a wonderful person who helps others, or a brat who treats other people like the gum that got stuck to the bottom of your shoe.

 So, go be something great! Go be someone who someone else is excited to talk about...GASP...in a GOOD way! :)

Sincerely,
~Alisha