Why I am a photographer

I started Dickson Photographs because photography is my passion.

I grew up with a photographer as a dad so cameras were just a normal part of life. I took it for granted, I always thought if I needed a photographer I had one. I saw his photos every time I walked down the hall, on every one of his walls, they were everywhere I looked. The thing I didn’t realize was that I wasn’t just seeing his photos, I was seeing the world through his eyes. This is something that I appreciate now.

My passion for photography began to grow when my son was born. I looked at him and knew I had to capture him as I saw him. Any parent knows that you see so much when you look at your children. You see the first time you laid eyes on them, the sleepless nights you would welcome back so that they were that little again, all the good, all the bad, you see THEM.

I took pictures with my phone like everyone does but when I looked at them something was missing. I wanted to feel like I was living in his world when I looked at the photos. I wanted to be able to see what I saw when I experienced that moment with him.

My wife and I were taking him to a pumpkin patch and I decided to grab the old camera my dad gave me years before. I thought I was going to pull it out and create art. I was wrong. The camera was extremely difficult to use. There were settings I had no idea how to set, buttons and knobs that seemed to do nothing but also seemed pretty important at the same time. I was beyond frustrated and had to default back to my phone. I cherish those pictures but the experience lit something in me. I had to figure this contraption out.

I went with my dad so that he could teach me how to use my camera. He explained the exposure triangle, priority modes, what an aperture was, a shutter and all the buttons and knobs. I was finally taking pictures and they were turning out. I was excited. A short time later my brother in law announced that he was getting married in a small ceremony. I am not one to pass up an opportunity so I decided I would take my camera and get pictures for them. I had a professional camera (though very out dated) and plenty of confidence. The wedding happened and when I got home, excited to send them these professional looking photos, I downloaded the memory card and saw my work. They were absolutely horrible. Blurred, too dark, too bright, I blew it.

Twice I had taken my camera with high expectations and twice I was defeated. I lowered my expectations and went with my dad again but this time I took my son. Having him in the viewfinder made the lessons stick. I adjusted this and changed that. The pictures were turning out. When I got home, I looked at my pictures and finally, I had pictures I loved. I proudly showed my wife and sent them to family. I realized that I needed to take pictures of something I truly cared about. From that day on, every time I took my son anywhere there was a camera in my hand.

Over time I upgraded my gear and my skills grew almost as much as he did. I began to try other types of photography, studio photography (setting up bedsheet back drops with make shift studio lights in our living room), wild life photography, street photography, race photography. I shot everything, I was obsessed.

This obsession lives in me today. I take a camera with me everywhere I go. I love taking pictures of places and events, capturing things that most people miss as they are going through their everyday lives. Telling stories with my photos of making Christmas cookies or coloring a picture. I knew I could do more with my passion. I wanted to share my photography, share moments with people. I spoke to my wife and told her I wanted to start a business. She of course was supportive, excited to see me do what I love.

I started Dickson Photographs shortly after. Before I knew it I had inquiries and booked a couple weddings. I didn’t want to tell my dad because I wanted to show him my work as a photographer following in his shoes, not just a guy with a plan. My first wedding finally came and I took every piece of gear I owned. I was the Rambo of wedding photographers. I had cameras strapped everywhere, moments weren’t getting passed me. When I looked at the photos, I realized I actually pulled it off. Me and my 5 cameras did the job. Moments really didn’t get passed me. I delivered an album I was proud of. Soon after, I showed what I had done to the person that was so important in my journey. He was proud. That feeling I got has never left me.

Today, I am not the Rambo of wedding photographers. Im not armed to the teeth with cameras ready to shoot anyone and everyone that walks in my path. While my skills and experience have grown, so too has my drive. I am very fortunate to get to do the thing I love and I put everything I have into every shoot. My goal is always to have my next shoot be my best shoot. This is why I am a photographer.