Ted.aily: Discovering photography pt. 1

Two years ago, I started my journey as a photographer.

And I was awful…

Like truly terrible…

I had so much ambition when I first started, but soon realized that cameras were really complex and moreover, understanding and exercising my eye for photography was even more challenging. But along the way I learned a few valuable lessons:

lesson 1: take lots of pictures… with whatever you have access to.

My first camera was a Sony A6300 with a nifty fifty. I did my research and found what I thought would be the perfect camera for what I wanted to do… which was hazy at best, because I really had no idea what I wanted to do. I set out with camera in hand, ready to create my photography legacy, but soon realized that I had no direction. All the money I had just invested in a camera was great, but had no merit because I had no vision. Now looking back, I realized that sometimes, my favorite photos are taken straight off of my little iPhone SE. It isn’t always about the equipment, but sometimes just finding ways to spark joy with what you have.

As I realized just how lost I was, I started to look around, yearning for some inspiration and direction. After countless hours of photography tutorials, framing lessons, website surfing, and instagram browsing - I finally stumbled upon Peter McKinnon (my hero), after which I learned another valuable lesson:

lesson 2: find a hero… follow their work, obsess over their work, and try to recreate their work.

I watched countless hours of Peter McKinnon, “What’s Up”-ing and just felt a wave of inspiration to get better. After falling in love with his style, my goal simply became: how can I create something just like Pete?

lesson 3: take lots of photos. then take more. and then take even more.

My style changed weekly in the beginning as I tried to recreate The Pete, and slowly, over time (a LONG time), I started to find my niche and aesthetic. Within the first six months, I had filled four terabytes worth of hard drive space, and every week would look back in disgust, thinking to myself, “I can’t believe I took those terrible photos.”

But, regardless of the disappointment, I kept wanting to get better. I grew hungry to learn and the more I practiced, the more my appetite grew. I was out all the time, camera in hand, taking pictures of everything I could possibly think of - and I was finally seeing some improvement. As I started to improve, I finally decided it might be time to try something bigger.

lesson 4: taking it to the next level is hard.

I spent the next six months, reaching out to brands, people, and companies, trying to find ways to get my foot in the door. I contacted dozens of people a day, with no responses. After eight months of struggling to find ways to take photography to the next level, my sister reached out to me about a company (better known as Hipcamp) that was hiring contract photographers to take pictures of their experiences camping. I reluctantly applied, nervous about taking the next step - and was fortunate that they hired me soon after.

And thus began my true journey as a photographer.

to be continued…

Ted.aily: The importance of routine

Routine is my sanity.

Working with students has been the most rewarding decision of my life, but has also added, in the best way possibly (most of the time), a layer of craziness. Each and every day is different and my students are the variable - like most people are. And this is one of the reasons why I love teaching (blog foreshadowing)!

With all of the lunacy, I have come to realize just how important routine is to my life and the stability it adds to my sometimes not-so-stable schedule and lifestyle. In addition, having routine has also taught me to be a source of stability and normalcy for my students within all the madness that is the field of education.

When I think of the word “routine,” it isn’t that my life is planned out hour by hour, which sometimes it can be, but more so the expectancy of certain tasks that I know and can do without having to engage deep thought, which can often be exhausting. This I know about myself:

1. Every single morning, upon waking up, I take Rux (my sweet dog) out for walk.

2. Following my leisurely stroll with Rux, I shower and get ready… every single morning; even the mornings I know I don’t have plans.

3. Coffee.

Through the years I have learned that my life doesn’t need to be routine, but doing little things that bring me joy, order, and consistency, make me an overall calmer individual. As an early riser, morning routines have become my place of joy and happiness, but I am sure the same is possible for the night owls of the world. So start with something small, and bring a little routine into your everyday life.

Here’s to a year of craziness with a sprinkle of order.

Cheers!

Ted

@ted.venture

Ted.aily: A letter to me, from me.

Dear Ted,

Most years you never make New Years’ Resolutions… and the years that you do, they are lame. So this year, I thought I would do you the favor of coming up with 6 simple goals:

1. Do less.

   As a “yes” person, you constantly take on projects and tasks that make you extremely busy - and for your own sanity and mental health, this year you should do less. Hopefully by doing less, you can focus on some of the other goals I have set for you. BUT, while you are doing less to stretch yourself thin, continue to grow in the areas that bring you joy - true joy.

2. Write weekly.

   This past year, you remembered and rediscovered how much you love to write. So continue to do that weekly - even if it is just a short post or journal entry. And… to add on to that, share it.

3. Take more pictures.

   2018 was a year of growth as a photographer. You found your own style, and worked with brands that you love. Take more pictures and continue to grow - keep reaching out to companies that you love, even if you think you aren’t good enough. The worst they can say is no… which isn’t all that bad!

4. Mental health.

   Mental health is KEY this year. Less stress, more happiness. And even though it seems like taking a break is unproductive, it is productive for your mind to sometimes take a day off. This is the year that you ask for more help from those around you and also the year that you sometimes take care of yourself before others.

5. Learn more. Read more.

   As an educator, sometimes you are so caught up in teaching, that you forget how to be a student. Continue to learn, whether it is about biology, photography, or even coffee, do all that you can to continue to study, because learning should never stop. Teach better by being better.

6. Build community.

   As someone who loves people, surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good is extremely important. Sometimes, it takes being uncomfortable to really grow relationships, so go outside your comfort zone and meet people. And most of all, cherish those closest to you and continue to foster those relationships that you place value in. Ditch the negativity.

2019 has a lot of promise - so keep it simple. And as always, do you boo boo.

Sincerely,

Ted

@ted.venture