As to my definition I suppose that is. I suppose there’s many ways you could measure this journey. However for me, it’s been one year since I left the employed world.
Many of you have asked “how did you get into photography”, so I thought I would share a little bit about my journey.
Leaving highschool I considered myself one of the “sure” ones. Knew exactly what I wanted to do, no doubt about it. I quickly found out that I was very wrong on that idea! The few years to follow were interesting ones at that. I still remember the day I accepted a job at one of the largest John Deere Dealers in Ontario. I thought I had gotten my dream job. Dealing with farmers, equipment and precision agriculture. Can’t get any better than that, can it?
Well as it turns out it wasn't exactly my dream job. I loved the people I worked with and the farmers I dealt with. However at the end of the day, I didn't have that feeling of fulfillment. There was something missing for me.
Anyone who knows me, knows I don't exactly follow the crowd. I will beat to my own drum! So,I left John Deere, the job everyone said I was crazy for leaving and moved back home. I told myself I wasn't accepting another job unless I knew I would love it. My other stipulation was when spring and fall roll around I want to be able to hop in the tractor cab. So naturally I worked for a farmer driving equipment until I figured out what I really wanted to do. I still remember the first day- I messaged my mom and told her “heaven on earth does exist” with a photo looking out beyond the cab of the tractor from the driver's seat (until of course something breaks… then it’s not so fun). Which leads me to how I got into photography.
Growing up I always snapped way too many photos around the farm for fun. I still remember my mom would get so mad that we would pick up photos developed from film at the grocery store only to find it was filled with photos of barn cats. I then got a digital camera, where I would go around the farm snagging photos, just so I could show my grandma in the nursing home all the crazy shenanigans happening at home and tell the story that went along with the photos.
Fast forward to the iphone, and the digital camera quickly began to collect dust. At this point in my life I was busy with school, sports, 4-H, work and any chance I could… I was in the field. Being in the barn and especially in the field… that’s what makes me smile. All moments I wanted to freeze in time. My instagram quickly became filled with photos of cattle, crops and views from the cab.
Family friends had wanted family photos, and naturally they assumed if I can take a nice photo of cattle, I must be able to capture people. I borrowed my uncles camera, and completed the request I never even thought twice about. Well with social media, the family photos got shared and I then got a few more requests… still borrowing the uncles camera at this point as an iphone may look silly to show up with. Eventually I bought myself a DSLR camera and continued to snap photos around the farm as a phone only has so much space for photos.
Although the requests for family photos still kept trickling in and anyone who knows me knows I can't say no. So about a year and a half ago, I picked up the phone and I called Holly McFarlane. Who at the time was a complete stranger. Throughout life I’ve had many mentors, and it was time to reach out to someone for help in the areas of photography. Because I'll be honest, I had no idea what I was doing with a DSLR camera, editing, business structure and so much more.
Holly has not only been an amazing mentor but an even better friend. She has been there every step of the way through this journey to guide me and share her knowledge.
A year and a half ago, I bought a camera and ONE year ago; I left the employed world. I absolutely loved working on a farm, and learning new things everyday… because although I can drive equipment I am not the most mechanically inclined person.
I was dealing with some on-going health situations so I had left my position to give myself time for doctor appointments and to hopefully start feeling better.
I had just enough energy to get through photos sessions and I’d come home to edit them when I had time. It was a nice little something until I started feeling better and could go back to full-time work.
Photos became to consume more and more of my time to the point I’m full-time. I still can't believe that's my reality.
I cannot begin to describe how blessed I am to be able to capture memories everyday. Over the past year I’ve had that chance to experience so many wonderful moments. A few memories/highlights include; attending a wedding to find an eldery man at my table talk about how he used to love dancing with his wife.. In fact that's where they first met- was at a dance. He loved to dance when she was still around he had said; so I told him… let go, I’ll dance with you! Here I was, in the middle of the dance floor and a gentleman with such a big smile on his face. He was so happy.. As was I. I realized a 5 minute break to make this gentlemans night… also made mine.
Family photos when I’ll have kids come give me a hug out of the blue at the end and say thank you for coming. Melts my heart everytime.
Final photos of an owner and her horse before having to put it down.
Smiles of a family announcing their expecting, or the smiles of new parents holding their newborn.
I’ve captured many little moments in the midst of family photos, anniversaries, events, weddings, milestones, couples, and so much more. Some of these photos knowingly or unknowingly was their last photos with some of the members present in them. I guess you could say that's my why behind my photos like many others; to freeze moments lost in time. Some of individuals, many of moments. Of course it's visible through my work, farm moments is where my heart is.
I look back and wish we had more photos of when our family had sheep or our greenhouse, or the times my dad would come skating with us on our skating rink he had put hours into building for us. I also love to look back at photographs and see what things looked like for my grandparents or my parents. As they say- photos are worth a 1000 words.
So that’s why I get soooo excited when I capture farm moments. I understand the memories the photos will hold. I could go on for hours about all the farms I’ve gotten to work with for various reasons. A couple weeks ago I was at a farm, I hopped up into the buggy tractor riding buddy seat. In that moment, I again- felt like it was heaven on earth. I had spent an amazing day with great people, the sunset was amazing, I was in a field and it all hit me- this is my job?!? I still can't believe it some days....for so many reasons.
There's a fine line between being too busy capturing a moment and being present in the moment. Taking time to enjoy the moment is so important, however making a small amount of time to capture the moment is never regretted. The photo will capture the moment, and in the future be a reflection to see how things have changed. Also… print those photos!!
Anyways, to those who have read this far… hopefully you've got the main point. I am so lucky that this unintentional plan has been what I call my job for the last year. Thank you all for your continuous support <3
Jodie