A few months ago, I met with a group of San Antonio photographers. Ten or so of us showed up and we varied in all different skill levels and genres of photography. Christina, one of the photographers, had brought a list of questions to facilitate our “meeting.” We took turns answering them in an effort to get to know each other. One of the questions she posed to us was, what do you wish you knew about photography when you first started? My answer was this.
Things I wish I knew about photography is that it’s just not as simple as pressing a button. If used correctly, my camera is no more responsible for my image than my stove is for my meal. You can control what happens when you press the shutter. As smart as cameras are these days, they are not smarter than you… if you study. I wished I knew that things can go wrong… not all the images will be great! If you learn exposure and temperature and lighting, nine times out of ten, you can always create a more perfect image than your camera can alone. What is best is you can be artistic!
As a photographer… as a person, your eyes can see things that your camera can’t. You can see that the majority of your image might be a sun-lit sky, but your camera can not. Your eyes can see that the image might be backlit, but your camera can not. You can see that your subject might be moving 40 mph, but your camera can not. Just because you press the shutter and your image results in an orange or blue hue, does not mean that’s what is really there. I wish I knew that you can control the camera to create a beautiful image!
Other Things I Wish I Knew About Photography
I’ll expand by saying, I wish I knew that a tack sharp focus was equally as important as “catching” the moment. I wished I knew that consistent post-processing said as much about your image as the content itself. I wished I could have developed my own style early on without trying everything else under the sun. I wished I knew that there was a difference in quality in printing labs. I wish I knew or understood the amount of emotional connection one can have with an image. I wish I knew that friends will say they LOVE your image, even when, from a technical stand point it is not good—even if it is horrible. I wish I knew that some people will value sound photography as much as I do and some people will never. I wish I knew that even the most beautiful people can be the most critical of their own images. I wish I knew that clients would choose a photographer solely based on either price, personality or skill—and rarely more than one of the three. I wish I knew these things 25 years before I did.
I’m sure that one year from now, I will be able to add even more things I wish I knew about photography to this. Photography has become an art form for me. Photography has become an object of my obsession/desire. I think about it daily. Who am I kidding? I think about it hourly! How can I improve? How can I succeed? How can I reach all my goals? I wish I knew.
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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget. As professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.
I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!
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