About « Maggie's Camera

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I am a current college student at Bates College. I am an Art History Major with concentrations in Film and Media Studies as well as Culture and Meaning. I absolutely LOVE photography. It really is my passion. I would major in photography except I don’t want to have to rely on it to make my living. I will keep it as my hobby as long as I can. I am currently spending this semester studying in Florence Italy, and it has re-opened my photographer’s eyes. Enjoy my blog about photography and my own experiences.

8 Comments »

8 Responses

on November 5, 2008 at 11:26 pm | Reply forkboy

I like that you phrase photography as hobby, upon which you wouldn’t want to rely for a living.

I’ve often wondered if turning a hobby, a passion if you will, into a career is as good an idea as folks often assume. Suddenly that which brings one joy also must bring one an income, which may place undue pressure on what was a hobby.
on November 6, 2008 at 5:25 pm | Reply mrgrosky

Wow! I just clicked on “About” and found out that you are attending my alma mater–Bates College——REALLY! You can find me in the class of 1973! I was in Roger Bill (Roger Williams and also Hedge Hall (?) The library was built one year before I graduated. I majored in English and had a “minor equivalency” in Speech/Theatre.

That is so cool–what a coincidence. I loved Bates but I was a real grind—I was studying in the library almost 24-7. Should’ve gotten out a bit more, but I found Bates to be a delightful challenge, all the same.

Lots of great experiences for photography at Bates, although I hadn’t gotten into the hobby at that time. Even the Bates calendars have great photos. Have you tried to get any of yours on there?

Best of luck, Mitch
on November 6, 2008 at 6:16 pm | Reply maggiescamera

I don’t know if you have heard but both buildings have been completely gutted. And they don’t know what to do with old commons. New commons is amazing though!
on November 15, 2008 at 4:31 am | Reply nathaliewithanh

Like with anything in life, there is a trade off somewhere. Photography becomes different once you rely on it for income.

When you photograph for someone else, whether a commercial client, a family, a magazine, you keep your vision but you still have to deal with their wants.
I have had whole families show up in jeans and white shirts for a family portrait and that made me want to cry, thinking I had really sunk low… That was still better than the family with the awful Christmas sweaters. Sometimes, you make awesome portraits, and the clients pick the not so awesome ones. You want to strangle them.

Still, most of the time, as you photograph away, you can’t believe you are actually paid for doing something you love so much and that’s one great feeling! Also, when you get a commission from a family, and maybe, when you show them the proof, they get all emotional on you, and dab their eyes a little bit – that’s really cool too! To be able to create that kind of emotion in someone. Editorial work can be really interesting too.

No matter what, you’ll probably enjoy this passion for the rest of your life, a blessing for the soul and a curse for your wallet!

I wish you the very best!
on December 5, 2008 at 1:55 am | Reply John

Very cool blog. I like how you talk about what your trying to do and the concepts. Keep up the good work and happy shooting. John
on December 19, 2008 at 2:06 am | Reply dinezzz

Hi,
I am just ‘photoblogwalking’ for a moment, then I landed here accidentally…

anyway,
nice to meet you…

[I'll put your link on my site, if you dont mind]

Form Indonesia with Love

xdinx
on February 6, 2009 at 12:19 am | Reply Jee Hye Kim

hey! this is really cool~
keep it up!!
on November 17, 2009 at 10:39 am | Reply Ed

Too cool that you get to study abroad, I also keep my photography as a hobby, I’ve been asked to (go pro) and do it for a living but I hesitate because I don’t want to loose the fun..:-)) Great blog and thanks for your recent comments on my blog.
Later…Ed