What made YOU decide to start photography? What inspires you to keep going?

I think people typically purchase a DSLR to take photos of their kids.

I guess I wanted one to better capture the landscape of Hawaii and my memories.

 This is at the black sand beach on the Big Island in November of 2007.

Honestly, this photo was the breaking point.  Can you tell that's black sand? How about the turtles that are laying on the beach, do you see them? I didn't think so. I knew I wanted a good camera, I just wasn't sure how I would get one because it felt intangible.

Christmas day, 2007. (Taken with a point and shoot camera, edited by me in Photoshop.)

The picture above is from the last Christmas I spent with my Grandparents. Following this photo, within two months my life was turned upside down. My Grandmother (Gramma) was my best friend. She taught me everything that I know about lighting, colors, styling, what clothes look best on what body shapes, composition and the list goes on. 

She grew up wanting to be a clothing designer. One year for my birthday (I think I was 23?) she redesigned a bunch of her 'vintage' clothes for me to wear. I loved it. It was not only a gift to me, but one to her as well. It was creative, it wasn't just taking pants in or letting them out for my Grandfather's ever yoyo-ing waistline. (Chuckle- because all he did was eat bacon and sugar. And you see how skinny he is, right?). 

She was naturally talented. As I've been told by my Aunt and Mom, even when they had no money, my Gramma would remake clothes and repurpose decorations to make beautiful wrappings on Christmas morning. She was doing all this way before it was 'hip'. I know exactly where I got my resourceful nature from. She was the one that took me thrifting and garage sale-ing. "There's a quarter on that price tag, offer them 10 cents." With my cute little self and my long lashes I'd offer them lower and 9/10 I'd get it. (Anyone that's gone with me thrifting as an adult, has anything changed?) lol. 

Around the time that I was about five years old, she picked up the hobby of going to the Senior Center to learn how to paint, massage and she almost became a doctor of homeopathy.  (I think the reason was primarily to get out of the house, away from my Grandfather watching golf. But hey! She added a couple skills!) 

 She was pretty awesome. This is me at 6 months old. This was painted just a couple years after she started and every grandchild had a baby portrait painted that hung in the living room until the day they both passed away. 

This is a more broad example of her talents. She also quilted.

 When I was younger I spent TONS of time in my Gramma's studio area in the basement. Watching her paint, or painting random 'paint by numbers' etc. I had no clue the skills that I too picked up just from being around her. 

The number one way to learn is by doing. 

The way to not realize you're being taught is to observe and listen. 

Which is exactly what I did. 

Fast forward to Christmas of 2008:

I was in Hawaii, looking for a job and trying to find a new normal when on Christmas eve I received a registered letter from-- My Grandparents? All of the grand kids received a check for $500.00. I sat on this check until March of 2009. I didn't know if I was going to use the money for bills that, very much needed to be paid, or if I was going to do something to honor my Gramma. 

On March 23, 2009 I picked my (now) Husband up from the airport and went to the NEX (store). I decided I had found the best deal and I was going to purchase a camera. Even while standing in line to purchase the camera, I was having doubts. Asking him "What if I suck?" "What if I never use it?" "What if its a waste?" He assured me it was a good purchase and to take the risk. 2 weeks later, I was on a plane back to Michigan to start photography classes. I was hooked. 

The first couple years, I loved what I had the potential to create. I loved that I could use my psychology to make people feel beautiful inside and out and show them what I see through the eye of the camera. I loved that people looked, loved and appreciated what I had quickly become and developed. 

I now love how each time I pick up my camera and create something more unique and original than the last, I'm honoring her. I try to preserve everything I touch and I truly believe that by doing this, I'm extending her life as well as making mine richer than I ever thought possible. 

Thank you Gramma, for leading me to the water, but never forcing me to drink. 

  

 

 That's me and Gramma!

Scarlett J

PS- I miss you terribly, thank you for watching over me.