Today a colleague came into my music room, where I was diligently planning a Year 4 unit of work, and proceeded to tell me that she has looked at all my photographs, thinks they're amazing, and also thinks that I'm an idiot being in the teaching profession when I can take "such good photographs".
I tweeted that earlier on, fully expecting a reply from a certain Mrs H. My expectations were realised, and the said Mrs H confirmed her opinion on the matter: "!
@ not everyone who takes "such good photographs" should try to make a profession out of it...!"
I quite agree. There are far too many people out there claiming to be photographers, or at least thinking that their photos are deserving of payment and a route out of their mundane desk jobs.
There are also far too many people out there who
are professional photographers, wedding photographers for example, who have bad reports. I know of at least 3 married couples who are unhappy with their wedding photographs.
It's a shame.
I don't want to be one of those photographers that thinks they're good just because they've got a decent(ish) camera and a few good comments on flickr or from friends. Of course friends are going to compliment you on your photographs. They don't know anyone personally who is as good a photographer as you are. So you are great. Do it full time!
No.
However, that said, I will say this:
I love photography. I really love it. I love the feeling of pausing time and recording that split millisecond of action/emotion/stillness/life.
I'll be honest. I want to shoot more for specific reasons. Photoshoots, if you will. I recognise that I can take a good photo, especially when compared to other "professional" photographers. I want to please people with my photography. I want people to love the photos that I take of them. It gives me pleasure and it gives them pleasure.
But I won't ever
try to be a professional photographer. I didn't
try to become a teacher. I didn't
try to become a worship leader. I didn't
try to achieve anything that I have done in my life so far.
Close family members have said on more than one occasion, "David, things just seem to fall into your lap," or, "you've fallen on your feet again." I quite disagree.
In the Bible, Psalm 37 verses 4 and 5 say this:
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
I have found this true in my life, ever since I started following Jesus. As I commit every area of my life to God - every thought, relationship, plan - God
acts. My life is his. It belongs to him.
He gives me the desires of my heart, and as I delight in him, he gives me the desires of my heart. Think about it.
It is the desire of my heart to encourage Jesus' followers to love him more. That's it. That's my passion.
God will act to bring circumstances around in my life so that my heart's desire will be given to me. I know my heart's desire, but I'm thankful that God knows my heart's desire infinitely better than I do.
I love taking photos. If I can do that more, for specific purposes, I will be happy. If that turns into something more, I will be happy. If it doesn't, I will still take photos like there's no tomorrow.
But my number one passion will never change. Everything else is a poor second best.
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