Photography 101

Back 2 Skewl

Hi There,

I’m Summer, and I’m a professional photographer who just enrolled in a beginning digital photography class. Last month I quit my 9-5 full time job, high paying salary, secure, provided health insurance, private office with a great view, friends to get lunch with... oh god have I made a mistake? NO. Ahem, and I just quit my job to pursue my own business full time!

A bit comedic, or maybe full circle, is that my first job I ever had was a student blogger for my university. I used to always say how much I loved it but that I’d never do it if it wasn’t “assigned” for me to do ha. Guess I was somewhat right since this is the first blog since 2016.

I bought my first camera, a Canon Rebel T5 back in 2015, took my first darkroom class in 2017, and photographed my best friend's wedding in 2024. Until two years ago I would’ve never considered myself a portrait photographer. I really stuck to animals, specifically the big cats at the zoo, (rip Ramil, one of the reasons I love snow leopards so much). I used to joke that I should take my camera out shooting with no sd card because I loved taking pictures, but hated all the work that came with uploading, downloading, editing, pdf, jpg, raw, I never really did much with the pictures that I took. That was until I tore my ACL.

If you know me personally you know I can’t sit still, running around the soccer field, skateboarding, playing volleyball, spikeball, or pickleball. Before my ACL surgery, I was thankfully mobile enough to snap photos of my best friend's wedding, and well after surgery had plentttyyyy of time to learn how to edit them. Now I won't say I’ve completely fallen in love with editing, but I have definitely learned how to appreciate it.

So at this point you’re probably thinking she’s either really great at photography to be able to quit her job, or really bad at it if they’re going back to school to take beginner classes for it. To be honest, I don't think the answer is either. I think I’m a good photographer, who has just scratched the surface of what I am able to create with a camera and some software.

I may have owned a camera for 11 years (also, yes so sorry 2015 was 11 years ago and somehow not 5), but my business itself has only existed for the last 2. It really only existed on the back burner in between my 9-5, recovering from ACL surgery, recovering after my husband's ACL surgery, mourning the loss of my uncle, and well all the other things that have pulled my attention away from it.

Also if you’re reading this as someone who’s already been supporting my business’s journey somewhere along the way, thank you! You’re the reason this gets to exist, whether we did a family shoot, graduation shoot, a creative shoot, an event, or you’ve got plans to book me for the future.

So here we are, almost one week into classes. One month post quitting. And one day from angelhamidehphotos turning 2. I guess I’ll close off with my favorite saying, the best memories are made when you’re having fun. So let’s have some fun this semester!

And hey! You don't have to quit your job tomorrow. Just take the next step! Come follow along with mine on instagram @angelhamidehphotos.

Thanks for tuning in!

-Summer