I....can.....do.....this

I am determined to push myself and see where this passion of mine will finally take me.  I want to stop talking about what I love and start doing what I love.  Photography. I ordered (and just received!) my business cards, made a facebook site, got a business phone number and created a business email account (the email and new phone number are tied into my cellphone so I know what is work and what is personal... have to stay somewhat organized).  I can't make up my mind on the website so I think I will hold off for a couple months.  The time will also allow me to hopefully build up a current "digital" portfolio so I have photos to put on the site.  I am loving the new camera... so much to learn when you change cameras let alone mediums you are using.  It has helped me so much to have sold cameras for the last 8+ years, but with that knowledge it has also held me back too.  You get caught up in the consumer side of things were you tell yourself you need the best camera, the best this, the fastest that, but really you need a solid knowledge of photography and your gear and with that you can get amazing results.  When I did sell cameras I had some of my best sales and customers when I helped them realize they didn't need a camera, but that they needed an accessory whether it was a lens or a flash or a filter and to learn their gear better.  What I am trying to say is I have held myself back long enough and I need to put this stuff that is raddling around in my head and make it come alive in photographs.
Right now I have downloaded Lightroom 3 and am teaching myself the side of digital photography that I have been dreading... (duhn, duhn, duhn!)... editing.  I have really impressed myself that I haven't needed Cameron's help (he is good at the tech stuff) and I have created some finished products that I am happy with. 
If you are already my facebook friend I am sure you have seen them already (I originally posted the photos with no edits, but I deleted those and re-posted the ones with the edits).  Check out Tondre Photography on facebook.  I will post photos from shoots as well cool stuff within the photography industry.

 

Photo taken at Tumwater Falls April 23, 2011