Tuesday, June 09, 2009

being seen

{happy}

i have a very hard time with recognition.
always have.
it always feels good, but somehow always surprises me or catches me off guard.
i admire those who are right up front, like hey look at me look what i did or won.  i never feel comfortable with it.  but lately many things have snuck into my life, things i want to share, places i want to point out,  not as a pat on my own back, but as a "see anyone can do it!"  i have NO training in photography.  zilch.  ok lie,  i took 1 class in high school. 1 elective photography class, we shot black and white film, i used my dad's old minolta 35mm camera, we had a dark room, and  i developed my own shots.  that was 20 years ago!!!  all it is to me now is a great memory.  i loved the class, i loved my teacher,  i retained none of it.  i have a few digital photography books generously purchased from my husband,  that i have thumbed through and admired the beautiful pictures,  but not read a word of.  i get all weird when technical terms start flying off the page.  i run and hide.  do i aspire to learn it?  yes.  just right now does not feel like the time.   why am i telling you this?  i guess to let you know trust your eye, your gut, your passion.   you do not need fancy equipment.  i have an entry level dslr, a nikonD60,  i love it.  it is not a big gun in any sense of the word, but to me it is magic.  before that, just 1 year ago,  i shot solely with a point and shoot, and i loved that camera too!  i have no photo software, frankly it scares me a little like the books do.  do i hope to get some and learn it well one day?  yes, yes i do.  but for now i use flickr editing tools and i think they are great tools!   so again, passion, eye, gut.  these have served me more than well.  more than i ever dreamed or imagined for myself.  i am a mom.  a wife.  a homemaker.  i like to take pictures.  a lot.  every day. passion.  but now a whole new world has opened with the click of my shutter.  it amazes me every day.  last year i joined a photowalk for fun in hopes of meeting a few shutterbugs who i could befriend.  i was not in it for the competition, but i won.  it was really unexpected.  but it proved to me that very day that it did not matter the size or make or lens of my camera.  not at all.  
from there i gained confidence in my shots.  most recently i was approached by a Dana Galin and asked for the use of a few images on a web site she was launching.  she exchanged info and jpegs.  the site is called Defineum.  it is now up and running.  they used 3 of my images various places on the website, along with great images from another photographer who also happens to be named Kristen!  ( i am an 'in' she being an 'en') we are both even named on the bottom of the partners page of the website.  it is exciting and flattering and as always unexpected.  and i think the images look great.  thanks Dana!   then i found out that a post written here in my little space was featured on the PBS Supersisters website!   thank you Jen Lemen!  what an honor and extra special since it was this post written about my husband's 91 year old nana who i adore.  and just today i had a "meeting" (coffee) with a Maine based photographer Scott Eccleston of  the blog Weekly Photography Tips.  he was the local leader of that very first photowalk i mentioned above.  he also featured my flare work last week on his blog!  then contacted me to see if i was interested in meeting to discuss the possible workings of a new photography blog. why heck yeah! so we had that coffee and talk.  he shared some great advice and tips.  thanks Scott

so i keep trying on that photographer word.  i can be all those things right?  mother, wife, home maker, blogger, photographer?  i have to keep saying it to myself.  what i do know is that i cannot imagine my life without doing this.  it feeds my soul so very much.  anything that comes from it is icing on my already wonderful cake.  so thank you to all who encourage me as i follow/fumble my way through this exciting new chapter.   thank you to all who comment daily on any of my photos on flickr.  it is such a wonderful place of connection- support- inspiration and REAL friendship!  and thank you all who stop here and read my ramblings.  so whatever your passion may be, and no matter your age when you find it, get on out there and shine with it!  

***one of my fave quotes...
 Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ~ mary oliver

28 comments:

Jody said...

Well I think you're awesome. And if you're ever in my area of the world (NJ) then let's plan a photowalk.

I have some cool places I could show you!

I think what makes a photographer a Great photographer is raw talent. You have this. You have the artistic eye..and that's why you are sucessful.

All I can say is I'm glad to know you Kristen and hope our paths continue along side by side. Keep UP the great work!

Jen said...

I'm so proud of you Momma! Awesome awesome:) How amazing that you found what you love! xo

gkgirl said...

wow...
this is fantastic!!
and so well deserved.

and i love what you say
about not needing the
best of it all,
the lenses, the software,
the terminology...
[cause those are all things
i lack as well...]
i just love taking pictures.

bravo you!!!
i look forward to seeing
what lies in your future!

Reen said...

Way to go, Kristin! Your photography IS really special. What a nice post too.

Sandra Lundy said...

How wonderful for you! Your photography is super special and you really deserve the recognition! I love seeing life through your lens! Keep it up :)

gonzomama said...

mama, you ARE a photographer!
and i am so happy wonderful things are happening for you in that arena.
revel in the recognition, you deserve it!

Kristin Zecchinelli said...

thank you all! i hope this post inspires others that amazing things came come from passion and love of something...

XO!

Kristin Zecchinelli said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diane Grenkow said...

YAY YOU!!!! Oh my, I got kind of teary reading this!!!! I'm so glad you are being recognized out in the wide world for this part of what you do. : ) YAYAYAY!!!!

Pumpkinmama said...

It is hard to put on a new title - even one as much deserved as your "photographer" title is!

So glad you are getting some wonderful recognition!

keli [at] kidnapped by suburbia said...

kristin, i'm so happy for you!! happy that you're getting the recognition you deserve for your amazing photos. and happy that you shared!

keep inspiring ...

xo

Shalet said...

Well momma you do have a photographic eye and a definite talent that supercedes fancy equipment. Your success is well deserved!

Unknown said...

I have all these similiar feelings, without the recognition because i'm even newer to photography than yourself. For me I think the issue is I don't want it to stop being fun. I worry that if I start labeling myself "photographer" then i'll feel more business minded and less artistic minded. I want it to be art, to reflect what I like to look at and to always be fun. I'm hesitant to charge anything even if I DO get recognition, again I think that would take the fun out of it.

Karen Salva said...

Kristin! I was just popping in to get your link and read all this fabulousness. The co-inky-dink is that I was doing a post about Flare photography. I love everything you said about your learning...I can't put the camera down long enough to want to "read" something. Love it!!!

Anyway, I added a few links to you and saw your bag packed, etc...so this is my way of saying I forget-you-not!

Eva said...

Congratulations! You totally deserve big recognition! Your photography is amazing! I have a D60 too and it works magic for me. :0

Anonymous said...

I think it's great that you won! I found your blog months ago by accident and I just assumed you were a professional photographer. Every once in awhile I see what you're up to (hope that isn't weird) but- you ARE a photographer to the rest of the world.

Anonymous said...

yay you!! i see you, i feel you, i hear you. i think it's amazing and you are too. yes you ARE a photographer! try on the word, roll it around in your mouth, you are all those things and much much more.

doors are opening up for you! it's so very exciting! i'll think of you as i do the photowalk this year (just a few steps behind everyone else, austin was already at full capacity when i went to sign up!)

congrats to you momma, i'm so proud of you!
xo

Anonymous said...

yay you!! i see you, i feel you, i hear you. i think it's amazing and you are too. yes you ARE a photographer! try on the word, roll it around in your mouth, you are all those things and much much more.

doors are opening up for you! it's so very exciting! i'll think of you as i do the photowalk this year (just a few steps behind everyone else, austin was already at full capacity when i went to sign up!)

congrats to you momma, i'm so proud of you!
xo

Visty said...

Having an eye for seeing is the most important thing, I think. You definitely have an eye for it!

Polly and Ollie said...

I have never heard the term "photowalk" but now I want to go on one! It must have been very gratifying to develop your own artwork. I adore all of your photos--you have a wonderful eye!

Kristin Zecchinelli said...

thanks all! and mere maine doesnlt even HAVE a photowalk this year! what is up with that?

Kristen said...

Congrats to you fellow Krist[i]n, mother, and photographer. I just saw the Defineum website the other day, and it looks great. Congrats to us!! Much photo love sent your way!

Kristen.

xanthe said...

what a lovely post, i admire your photos and really enjoy seeing your world through your lens. so much inspiration. congratulations on your recognition!. i'm sure there is plenty more to come..x.

Mary said...

That's so wonderful! You have such a great style!

Amy said...

oh K! so happy for you and yes suga you can be all of those things;) xo

GailO said...

This is an exciting post to read and I am so happy to see that you are reaping some rewards from your passion...

I have admired and been inspired by your photos since discovering your site...I think through Shutter Sisters...You seem like a genuinely good person as well as a good photographer:)

renee @ FIMBY said...

This is a very late congrats but I've had your post starred in my reader for awhile and forgot about it. This post was encouraging and inspiring, happy for you and for all of us photographer/mamas.

Kristin Zecchinelli said...

XO everyone! heart felt thanks! WE can DO it!