Photography...
"You should do this." Those four little words two years ago stuck. It was a sunny day in Ponka City. I had agreed to attend a family photoshoot with my mother-in-law and kids.
The photographer was new. Things were going slow, so I pulled out my phone and began taking photos of the kids while the others were occupied. I enjoyed posing the kids. We were just having a good time. At the end of the photoshoot and after we had all loaded up to head home I set into doing a basic edit on the photos I had taken.
They were Good! Really good, if I do say so myself. Yes, I know I'm bragging a bit, but in all honesty, it was a guaranteed win. It was a perfect day with an amazing location, the Marland Grand Mansion. everyone was dressed in complementing colors. (Please note I said complementing, NOT matching.)
I shared this photo with my mother-in-law. We were in love. I managed to capture absolute joy. Weeks passed I started asking when she was going to have the photos printed. I was excited to see what her photographer had managed to capture. I just assumed she must have taken some fantastic photos. Honestly, if mine were this good hers should be amazing.
"You should do this..." Those words and the knowledge that she never did have any of the photographer's photos printed. The idea just sat there for a long time. Every time I would receive a compliment on a photo on social media another tip in the direction of full-time photography.
Looking back at my life I can say without a doubt that becoming a photographer was NOT on the list of jobs I envisioned for myself. During school when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say I wanted to be a pilot like my dad or perhaps a country-western singer.
I have always been a creative and artistic person. I love art in all its forms. I guess you could say art is in my blood, but I'm a practical person. We have all heard the saying a starving artist. I had no desire to become a starving artist living on my love of art.
Thankfully I have a loving and totally supportive husband and family who are all invested in helping me succeed. I want to thank all of them for believing in my ability and pushing me to pursue a vocation that allows me to showcase my ability and passion as an artist.
I appreciate all of you who have worked with me as your photographer and all who have taken time out of their busy day to read this post. I would be honored to work with you and create something beautiful.
Thanks,
Katarina Rau
Photographer
Thistle Dew Photography
"This is the photo that started it all."