Hello, and welcome to my blog! I figured I’d kick off this first post with a little introduction and share the backstory of how I got started as a film photographer.
Once upon a time…
Looking back, I’ve always been fascinated by the photo world. From as early as I can remember I was surrounded by pictures and videos. Scrapbooks documenting every milestone (big or small) and family videos that have forever etched their stories on my mind. As a kid, I loved looking back at old photos and never tired of living those familiar moments over and over again.
My first camera
Fast forward to middle school when I got my first digital camera – a Samsung Digimax D53. To say I was obsessed would be an understatement. That camera went everywhere with me – to school, to church, to volleyball games, you name it.
I loved taking pictures, but I equally loved going through them. I would spend hours organizing my snapshots into folders and choosing the best ones to print out. And believe me, I wasn’t shy when it came to printing. My closet and locker walls were filled with photographs from floor to ceiling. Most of them were prints of friends and family, but each one held a special memory. Memories I didn’t want to forget.
Discovering analog
Fast forward a few more years to college. Now, I took photos on my phone, and there was this new app called Instagram where I could share pictures and use them to socialize with other people. That was cool and all, but, I was about to discover a new medium (or should I say old medium) of photography – analog cameras!
At the time, the school I was attending was located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Every once in a while, my girlfriend and I would go into the city and shop at thrift stores, vintage camera shops, and flea markets. We were always on the hunt for our next treasure and, over time, we built up quite the collection. I was so proud of the cameras we had collected and promised myself that one day I would learn how to use them.
Some of the cameras had come with (expired) rolls of film so I shot what I had and then experienced the rush of excitement that comes with getting a roll developed and receiving back the images. To this day, that feeling never gets old.
Most of those early photographs were blurry and discolored, but they were special. They stirred feelings of wonder and anticipation mixed with nostalgia for times gone by. They allowed me to experience what it felt like to try something new, not knowing what the end result would be, but have fun while doing it anyway.
Eventually, I used up all the rolls and the cameras went back to sit on the shelf (looking very pretty, I might add).
Rediscovering film photography
Fast forward eight more years. I was desperate for a creative outlet! I had been telling myself for a while that I wanted to learn photography and I had gotten to the point where I was done making excuses.
In 2022, I picked up the very first analog camera I had ever purchased – a Pentax K1000 – and got to work. I was determined that this time, I was going to figure it out.
After dozens of YouTube tutorials, online articles, and lots of trial and error (not to mention one blank film roll that I’m still not over – RIP), I started to feel semi-confident in my new skills. One roll quickly turned into another and, before long, I was hooked.
Film photography today
Today, I still have those cameras I acquired all those years ago. The collection has continued to grow (and I don’t imagine it will ever stop completely), but through this experience I’ve gained something much more valuable than cameras or even the photographs themselves.
These past few years I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some pretty amazing places all around the world. Along the way, I’ve formed some amazing friendships and have even learned a few valuable life lessons, many of which I can tie back to my film photography journey.
I’m still that girl who carries a camera with her everywhere she goes and while the models of cameras have changed over the years, my love for documenting all of life’s moments remains the same.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I hope you’ll stick around for future blog posts and updates.
In the meantime, feel free to browse my work here or send me a message! I’m always happy to connect with fellow creatives!
