FIRST OFFICIAL DAY AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

A friend invited me to be a second shooter for a dowry event. Two months before the event, I did everything possible to get ready, from hiring a camera, lens, purchasing a video light, reading the contract between the two parties, and making sure I got to know the client's name and immediate family by heart.

I do not remember falling asleep a night before the event. All I did in the stillness of the night was to create  positive mental pictures. It took us about 2 hours to reach to the destination, and while traveling I revised relevant notes from YouTube,  previous workshop sessions and what I had found to work for me. When I thought i was ready, I closed my eyes for a rest and thought to myself, here I COME AND I ROCK.

To my utter dismay after all the hard work put in, I could not stand the sight of two goats slaughtered, and neither could i eat the goat meat. Nevertheless it was a beautiful event, that ended with heavy rain pour that had never been witnessed in the country since 1978. This what i saw from my lens.

Pro Photography Sparked by Theft

         The first camera I ever got was a black Wizen SM111 that cost Ksh 999 an equivalent of  USD 11. It was always exciting to go to the nearest Kodak shop, have the film processed and see the photos that my siblings and I had taken.

Soon the mentioned camera gathered dust, as I  put to much effort on secondary and tertiary education. However, my mum broke this un creative spell when she bought for me a digital camera during my graduation in 2007. Since then, until now I would rather forget my passport but not this point and shot camera that has always been a dependable companion.

With an intrinsic to push to do better, and sharper images. It was time I bought myself a semi-professional camera. With too much window shopping and every extra coin gathered, I got myself a Nikon L320. It did not even last for four months it was stolen  from  my familiar surroundings without a trace.

For months I prayed that i would get back my L320, but it never came. Nevertheless, I kept on telling myself that the fella could have stolen the gadget but not my brains.Now i find myself in the photography rigor of saving to buy a lens,  a stand, speedlite, extra batteries, practice everyday, understand physics, become a computer geek, and explore new territories.

A Dutch proverb mentions that, a daily guest in the kitchen is considered a thief. It still remains that procrastination is the biggest thief of our time.