Photographic Impacts

I’ve always wanted to be a published photographer, someone that actually makes money off of my photos. Problem was, I wasn’t that good (not that it hasn’t stopped others… but that’s a different rant). Ever since I got my Nikon D70, my photography has been dramatically improving as I can take different angles, shutter/aperture combos, etc. without worrying about wasting 2 rolls of film on dead shots.

I think that process has helped me become a much better photographer and resulted in some much better pictures. And it’s started gaining some notice. Recently, some pictures that I took at the Philadelphia Zoo were noticed by the staff there, and no several of my shots are being used by the Zoo for various purposes:

• Philadelphia Zoo: Upcoming Events page (web) – Secretary Bird
• Philadelphia Zoo: Birds page (web) – Mandarin Duck
• Philadelphia Zoo: Big Cat Falls Promo on 6 ABC website – Mountain Lion cub. (You have to click on the “more images link, and go to the second picture).
• Philadelphia Zoo: several other pictures for print pictures, including a fund-raising piece for their new bird house.
• Schmap.com (web): Using two of my Philly shots on their Philadelphia online guide.
• CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society) is going to use my Ruby-Crowned Kinglet shot in the June issue of their Canadian Wilderness magazine)

Granted, all of these are donated images, but it’s still exciting to get this much interest. And then I get an email today from someone who wants to buy one of my images – my first paid work. Guess I’ll be able to consider myself a professional photographer and start writing off equipment costs. LOL