Meaning behind the Craft...

I've been involved in two professions (education and photography) for the past 18 years and it seems that they are not ranked highly in today's modern views of professions. In education, the true rewards come later, and in photography, unless you are a celebrity in the industry, the respect levels there aren't anything to be desired. In today's world, occupations are viewed in a positive manner if they make a lot of money, make you popular (famous), or grant you some sort of power or influence. Education and photography don't make the top 100 list. Of course I see them differently. I'll use photography for example. The rewards of photography (aside from a paycheck) far outweigh the deceptive pull of riches and fame the world so desires. Eight years ago, we were commissioned to photograph a wedding. It was a small, elegant, half-day event. The fact that we exceeded the expectations of our client, solidified their loyalty and made them life-long Captured Keepsakes advocates. We have been photographing the family (newborns, birthday milestones, and family portraits) for almost a decade now. The relationship we built is one based on trust, confidence, and respect. How many occupations out there grant that kind of reward? Trust: to allow you to handle and photograph a delicate newborn? Confidence: knowing you'll do a great job with a small, transient moment? Respect: telling others about your services with high regard? We choose professions in this country based on immediate, fleeting, and deceptive criteria. Don't get me wrong, money, fame, and power does satisfy, but only for a short time period. The true rewards in life that last aren't anything you can get, it's what you give. This adds to your character, which in turn helps you treat others with more respect, making a difference, leading to true change. It impacts the world. I'll leave you with this short illustrated story. When Noah was one, we photographed him. The image below is what came from the session. That image has drawn more attention to the family and at dad's business, people can't stop talking about it. It influenced Matt so much, that we recreated it for Noah's 5 year old portraits. And we will do it again until he graduates from high school. What a privilege it is to have a profession that allows us to create something that influences others for years to come. Capturing or creating a moment that creates value in the future....how many professions can say that? I love my job.