Don't Tell My Parents

Don’t tell my parents...

I didn’t know for sure I wanted to be a photographer.

(The images above of the same girl, taken before - the first one, and during school - the second)

So there I was, lazing around in my living room playing on my laptop while half watching the TV. My Dad was giving me the speech, you know which one. It had come to the point were I dreaded being in the same room as the man. For the past three years he only every talked about one thing: my future.

I was seventeen and thought I would make millions by just sitting on my favorite chair. I didn’t need to have a career. I wasn’t that “type”.

(A photo of me taking a picture)

He was about midway through his speech, not noticing that I was ten times more interested in my laptop than him when I sudden’y got an idea to make him shut up. I would WILLINGLY go to a career meeting, with the promise that I would look into more jobs that Manitoba has to offer.

I didn’t look into it, in fact I bought and watched all the current seasons of Grey’s Anatomy instead.

(From the recreation project)

Two week later in Subway, after my career meeting at Red River my Dad started his speech, AGAIN! I was sick of it, literally - I was going to spew fluids all over the forty-seven-year-old man if he made me listen to it one more time. So in fear of my ears bleeding, I had a “Brain Blast” (Jimmy Neutron, no? Only me. Okay ... )

I blurted the first career that came to mind: photography. My Dad, who is the owner of an electric business, laughed. Art? HA!

(My brother in the first image and my classmate, Alyssa in the second)

He doubted me, which in all honesty, he was right to do so. I was horrible in school and I was the laziest person I knew. How could I make a living at photography? But I was a teenager and I had just been challenged.

(My brother, for environmental portraits)

Do you see that poster?

My Dad looked behind him, a poster of a footlong sub hung just above his head.

Someone had to take that photo!

(My friend, Jacky in the first and my classmate, Jenna in the second)

Then I really got into it. This had gotten the ball rolling! Made me hit the trail? Got my feet wet? Got me underway? Whichever is right, that’s what happened. Someone had to take pictures for the “meal deal”, and each sub on the menu. Then I moved to fashion - someone had to take pictures of the clothes in each catalogue; how about websites? Someone had to take those, too; and how about billboards or all those damn University brochures I had collected (and burned)?

Wow. This career had promise.

(A image I took for fun)

My Dad was shocked. He had never thought of it either. So I now had a choice: photography or business school ... Photography it was! So I researched it - for real this time. I know - shocking, isn’t it?

I built up a portfolio; slaved over it for weeks. I restarted it at least seven times and I still wasn’t a hundred percent happy with it, but I didn’t want to go into business (well now I do, but that’s a whole different story). Plus, during my weeks of taking images, I was getting better and I really enjoyed the feeling I got when I had taken a great photo.

(A perfect example of right place, right time, with my camera)

Also my Mom was now my biggest fan. She loved this idea - heck, she even found PrairieView for me!

And now here I really am, almost nine months later, munching on undercooked chocolate chip cookies. I can honestly say that my photography has improved since I went into my interview. (That’s an understatement!) I look forward to school everyday. Everyone is so nice, and the teachers are amazing. (Maybe if I suck up I will get a better grade?) I enjoying shooting with my new Canon EOS 7D; it barely leaves my side. You just never know when you are going to see that “perfect” shot. I don’t think I can ever be as happy with any other career path. So, my last minute attempt to shut up my Dad turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me.

(The first is a film image, the second is my creative post process)

Sarah Campbell

PV Diploma Student

2011-12