New camera!
What better time to post an update than Thanksgiving?
THANK YOU!
As of 11/26/14, I've gotten to 1/5 of my goal! I'm completely shocked and overwhelmed by the generosity and support from everyone who has contributed. I can't thank you enough. I had initially aimed for my birthday next year (4/1/15) as the goal date, but with your help it's possible that it could happen before Christmas.
The response to this has inspired me to work harder on my end to chip away at this number and I am striving to reach my goal before going home for Christmas, as I'd like to be able to show my friends and family what has materialized from their donations.
For everyone who contributes, I would like to thank you in a more tangible way. I'm thinking that once I do end up purchasing my new camera, I would like to offer you a free print of any of my photos.
I'm thinking of something along these lines:
$10-20: 5x7 print
$25-45: 8x10 print
$50-70: 11x14 print
$75-95: 16x20 print
$100+: 20x30 print
I will continue to post all of my images on Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr, so if/when you see one that strikes you, just leave a comment on the specific post or send me a message about the one you would like and I will make it happen.
Simple as that. I will pay the full cost of printing and shipping. I just feel that it's necessary for me to give something back to those who have shared with me.
Again, thank you to everyone who has helped. Your kind words and support mean even more to me than the actual donation. You have given me excitement, gratitude, and motivation to become better at what I love.
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I want to start by saying this - I do not think that I deserve donations for a camera and I feel uncomfortable even typing this. That being said, and I'm willing to take a chance by putting the idea out there because I'll never know unless I try.
My interest in photography started in 2002 when I took a basic photography class in high school, and continued with my first camera purchase in 2006. Eight years later, my camera is showing its age. The technology is outdated and the camera has been developing some mechanical problems in the past year. In short, I'm hoping to replace it before it breaks down on me.
Over the past 10+ years, photography has gradually developed into the only true passion I have, so when I was given an opportunity this past summer to take senior portraits for a cousin, I finally felt like it was paying off.
I was hesitant at first, due to both a lack of proper equipment and experience with professional style portraiture work, but I decided to give it a shot since I had been waiting for that day for years. After successfully completing the job, I was left with a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that I had never experienced. For the first time in my life, I started to consider the idea of pursuing photography as something more than just a hobby could be possible.
It takes a lot of hard work to make a name for yourself, and while a great camera doesn't necessarily mean you'll get great pictures, it does help. Cost of entry is a bit of a burden, with mid-range/amateur level camera bodies in the $1000 range, and quality lenses sometimes even exceeding that price. This is why I'm reaching out for some help.
Why donate to this rather than a much more deserving person or organization? I don't have a good answer for that, but if you have enjoyed the photos I've posted on Facebook, Instagram, or Tumblr and would like to support my continued effort to develop my skills and reach my goal - any help would be incredible and more appreciated that you might expect. I'm going to be coming up with a way to formally thank anyone who contributes, maybe sending a print of your choice or something along those lines. Thank you for reading.