Follow Your Heart - Shoot what you want and Never Give UP

About a couple of weeks ago, I had a great opportunity to hear one of the photographers that I admire and follow via podcast and twitter, Rick Sammon.  Rick spoke at San Diego's Grossmont College.  He was a special guest brought by the college, Canon, George's Camera, and others.  It was a special treat to hear him talk about he's experiences in photography; His stories of how he created the shot, how photography has allowed him to see the world, and how photography has become part of he's life.

Life is a scenic route and lifelong adventure.  Be a student for Life.

Rick's talk was great also in the aspect that he told us, we are STUDENTS FOR LIFE and we should NEVER GIVE UP.  Never give up because when you don't give up other opportunities will rise.  Rick told us how he had an idea for a series of 3D children books. Originally he pitched it to National Geographic but they didn't take the opportunity.  However Rick didn't give up after being declined and pitched he's idea to another company.  And months later he was traveling for that company to photograph and make he's idea reality.
The point of that story is that you should never give up.  If you truthfully believe in your idea you should continue to pursue it.  And remember that rejection is part of the story of how your idea became reality.
Personally this holds truth.  I can tell you that, I never gave up.  This blog, the pictures I share, and the photography business, are all my ideas that have become reality because I never gave up.  Certainly along the way, there was been many set backs, distractions, and uncertainties that have plague me in my journey, to where I am currently.  Some of my uncertainties that I and maybe even yourself, struggled with :

"Am I good enough?"

"What will people think?"

"Will people, friends, or family support me?"

"Can I even do it?"

"What, how, when...?"

You get the picture (no pun intended).  It is with these uncertainties that I questioned many times if I even should pursue photography more seriously.  I knew though, that if I let these thoughts reign over me, I would be left with more questions, "what if..., what did I miss," etc than answers. So don't give up and work hard to get what you want.
What are some of the uncertainties and struggles you face or ask yourself?  Leave a comment and we together can get through it together.  Remember we all where in your shoes before so don't be shy to ask for help.  :)

Oliver Henry Photography - Sneak Peak - Seattle Trip

I took another vacation!  This time instead of heading east, I headed north, to the Pacific Northwest.  This trip was more of a vacation compared to my vacation to Austin.  The trips differ in that this trip was just about the traveling, sightseeing, and adventure, compared to Austin, was about helping my sister begin another chapter in her life.  :)
Here are two sneak photos from Seattle that I took.

I took a Vacation to Austin, Texas! - Las Cruses, NM to Austin, TX (Part 3)

This is part 3 of my travel series: I took a Vacation to Austin, Texas!

In part 2, my family and I reached Las Cruses as the half way point on our roadtrip to Austin, TX.

After spending a night in Las Cruses, New Mexico.  My family and I got up at 5am to get an early start on the next part of our journey.  Las Cruses is not that far from the border with Texas, therefore before you knew it we where in Texas.

Oliver Henry Photography - Don't Get Tied Up - Reflection / Manifesto

I've been officially a photography business for about 1 year.  The path to where I am right now has been a journey filled with ups and downs many of which, has shaped the way that I've conducted my business.  One of the biggest lessons and challenges has been knowing exactly how to managed the work load that comes with running a photography business.

The photography business has shown me that there is a lot of work that doesn't involve any photography.  As an owner I need execute business licenses and transactions, work with customers to makes sure that they are well taken care of, attend classes and workshops - to improve my knowledge and craft, network with other photographers, and then after all of that do the photography.  All of this has to be done, in a way that all areas of the business is given the equal amount of time and that not one area falls or goes under.

Oliver Henry Photography - Portrait - Kristen Yoon

Meet Kristen Yoon.  Kristen is a working a working professional, a Padres fan, a passionate cupcake baker, an athlete, and a aspiring model.  And she is competing in the 2012 Miss Greater San Diego Pageant.

Kristen was an absolute pleasure to photograph.  She was a professional and made the session very fun.  We bounce ideas back and forth between us and made it work.

I took a Vacation to Austin, Texas! - Tucson to Las Cruses (Part 2)

A couple of weeks ago I took a roadtrip / vacation to Austin, TX.  It's took 2 days, 1300 miles, hours of music, and 100s of iPhone photos (taken while driving).  We where heading to Austin, Texas because my sister was moving there to start a new job.   The trip took my family and myself through the American Southwest.


Tucson to Las Cruses
After having lunch at Burger King in Tuscon, we gassed up, and continued our journey to Austin, Texas.
Having never driven this roadway was quite exciting.  My eyes kept wondering from left to right and straight ahead, as I tried to take in all of the scenery that was foreign to my eyes.