Steven Sanchez, Jr.

My Camera

As far back as I can remember I have always loved taking pictures. I was simply fascinated by being able to capture a moment in time and to be able to look at it later on. I can also recall that early on I was always looking for unique shots. I remember an instance when I went out into my backyard, with my Crayola brand camera in hand, and was looking for shots that I could take. Already back then, I had an eye for photography.

A couple years back my family moved. In the moving process I was going through all of my old stuff. In going through my stuff I had come across that packet of pictures. I never was able to get all of my rolls of film developed. This roll had been developed, though. It was really a treat to look back on those photos because I remember taking them so vividly. It really is neat to know that photography is something I have enjoyed for so long – and will continue to enjoy for a long time.

Now that photography has become so easy, it is something I do on a daily basis. When I say photography has become easy, I say that in the terms of photography going digital – you have endless shots (as long as your memory card can hold them). Also, now almost all phones come with a camera built in. There is no need for film, no need for developing, you can see the pictures instantly, and you can even publish them instantly.

I’ve had small point and shoot cameras for the most part of my life. These cameras are great, too, don’t get me wrong. One can do some quality stuff with a point and shoot camera. I definitely have some of my favorites that I’ve taken with my own. It was in high school, when I became involved in yearbook, that I was introduced to the big D-SLR cameras. These cameras are real beauties. They take gorgeous pictures, and then they allow you to take total control of the camera settings to allow in exactly how much light you need, to set the shutter speed to exactly what you need, etc.

It was Christmas 2008 that I purchased my very own camera. It is a Canon Rebel xSi. I have named him Bartholomew (Bart for short). Owning my own D-SLR has opened up a whole new world of photography to me. I love this thing dearly and have used it so much. My camera and my photography is my escape. When I’m having a rough day I can grab my camera, go for a drive, and turn that emotion into some real pieces of art. My camera is almost a therapy device for me.

Aside from using my camera to discharge my energies, I’ve also used it to capture the joys of life. I have photographed several weddings, I have done photo sessions for friends, and I have photographed daily life. Pictures are powerful. Capturing pictures allows for great memories to also live on forever. It makes me happy that I’ve been able to share my joy of photography with some of the people who’ve hired me to capture their joys.

The biggest joy I get from my camera is that it allows me to capture life through a different lens. It also allows me to get out in the world, slow down, and really stop to look around at life. With my camera, I can do so much and look at things from so many different angles than I normally would. There could be a flower growing through a crack in the cement and I will get down and lay on the ground just to get a unique angle on that flower to capture a great photo. In another instance, I can stand on a rock or chair and look down at something to get that different perspective. My camera has really allowed me to stop and take time and enjoy what’s around me and get me away from the hectic lifestyle that can be so overpowering many of times.