Recapturing My Passion

Introduction

As many of my friends, family, or those who follow me on Facebook know, my passion is photography.  It allows me a creative release for my artistic side that otherwise I would be unable to express.  (You don't want to see me attempt a watercolor painting...)  I have taken wedding photos on my own and as a 'second shooter' with a Fargo area professional photographer, senior portraits, family photos, baby photos, created digital art, and worked as a sports and event photographer on occasion.  I have provided my services to friends and family at little to no cost as I understand our current economy and what it means to only have so much sitting in your wallet.

The Issue

What many of you probably don't know is that I have suffered a prolonged battle with kidney stones.  I have passed six in the past two years and was hospitalized on two seperate occasions.  Medical bills mounted and I was forced to sell my dream camera and lenses in order to pay the hospital bills.  While I do currently have a camera, it is barely capable of doing what is needed of it in demanding circumstances.  

The Goal

My goal is to continue providing a service to the surrounding community that is unique and affordable while creating lasting memories and art for those I share my passion with.

My Art

I found a film camera placed into my hands at an early age by my father.  I grew up taking pictures of people, of events, of emotions.  My grandmother introduced me to the world of National Geographic, opening the door to photographers such as James Nachtway, Alex Webb, and Steve McCurry.  Their images stirred a visceral response within me.  Nachtway's haunting black and white images of a world torn apart by war, Webb's brilliant color Kodachrome slides detailing life in the Carribean, and McCurry's environmental life portraits have influenced and inspired my photography daily.

I find a desire to invoke emotion in viewers of my photography.  I strive for an individual immersion into the story telling I am capable of with my pictures.  When a viewer is paging through a wedding album or even a portrait session, I want them to feel as if they are there.  I look for raw grittiness and grungy reality that is our day to day life.

For a sample of my work please visit my gallery:  http://birchdrew.tumblr.com/

The Equipment/Cost

The equipment I originally sold was a Canon 5D Mark II DSLR, a Canon 35 f/1.4L lens, a Canon 85 f/1.8 lens, and a Canon 580EXII flash.  The total I spent on that equipment was $4,000.  

I am asking for donations to purchase a new Canon 6D with 35 f/2 IS lens that retails at $2400.  The extra $300 covers fees and charges attatched to the gofundme website.  I will be personally funding the purchase of a Canon 70-200 f/2.8L that sells at $1450.

The Outcome

Any donation amount is greatly appreciated.  I am very happy to offer services in exchange for donations.  I have set up reward levels and am more than happy to offer other services if requested. (Shovel snow in your driveway this winter for a certain number of days?  Sure!  Why not? )  If there is something you wish to have help with or a service not listed that I am capable of handling feel free to message me on Facebook.

Thank you for your consideration whether you donate or not.

With hearfelt thanks,

Birch Drew