I'm not sure when I decided I wanted to become a photographer. It was quite a while ago when I became interested in cameras, prints and making something unique. The past few years have been spent learning the photography trade, at school and in the field and while I still have a bunch to learn, I'm beginning to notice certain things about myself and my business which make me proud of what I do.

Lately I have been trying to define who I am as a photographer and where I would like to go in my career including the type of clients I'd like to serve, the business practices I'd like to have in place and just how big I'd like my business to become. I've signed myself up for the Assembly Workshop sponsored by Ascend Theory here in Knoxville in January and I hope I will learn some new insight into the marketing of the studio and the development of new techniques for my work but I think ultimately the nature of my practice is already directly rooted to who I am as a person. I want to help show, through my clients and body of work how to look at a bigger picture.  

It is no secret adults with disabilities are often looked at differently, and not necessarily in a good way. Historically speaking companies have been reluctant to hire folks such as myself because the perception is we cost more. The idea that making accommodations for people with Autism (which is a disability I have some understanding of) is hard and expensive and therefore not worth the effort is kinda ridiculous. Sometimes all we need is to stand instead of sit all the time, or maybe we just need a different kind of chair. Or, we might like to wear khakis instead of jeans or have four small breaks instead of two longer ones. Neither seem all that unreasonable to me but instead of looking at adults with Autism as dedicated hard workers who are reliable and trustworthy, employers hesitate to take a chance. Those who do can see the bigger picture. 

With that being said, there have been an extraordinary number of people willing to take a leap of faith and trust me with precious moments in this past year. Those are the kind of people I'd like to have employ me...those are the kind of people I'd like to work for. The type of people who look past my disability and understand I'm just a bit quirky. In fact, we're all a little bit quirky. Some of us are just plain ole weird. Hahahahaha! I may struggle with loud noises and crowds but I'm getting pretty good at Lightroom. I may need to hear the same statement a few times to understand an instruction, but I can get a group to smile and feel comfortable getting their portrait made. These special clients, which I truly appreciate, can see a bigger picture. 

I have also come to realize I'd rather people have quality professional photographs than sacrifice for the sake of affordability. I have rather liked working with those who think they can't afford to document their events and becoming the photographer they come to again. Having photographs of precious memories shouldn't be cost prohibitive...I'm kinda like the Robin Hood of the Photography world. Fact or fiction, he was able to see the bigger  "financial" picture. (You will NEVER see me wear tights though!)

In order to see a bigger picture it helps to have a wide angle lens. This could literally be an actual lens or a figurative ability to look past what you may not understand nor control and just have faith. 

Each week we will highlight a photo, a subject, group or setting we can all learn a little something from; where we try to see the bigger picture. Welcome to #WideAngleWednesday. 

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