I've had a lot of moments where I have to take stock of all of the wonderful things that have happened to me since I picked up a camera.
One of those moments happened several years ago. I had a chance encounter with someone who had faith in me as a young photographer (okay- not young age-wise, but young in terms of years of being a professional photographer). Anyway, I was out one evening taking shots of an abandoned gas station in Brunswick, Maine. I have always been fascinated by this particular gas station because I remember going there many times over a decade ago when it was open and was sort of sad when it closed and the building became dilapidated. So needless to say, when it came time to work on a photography project I was doing for a class at SMCC, I knew I wanted the abandoned gas station to be my subject. Long story short, while there I met an individual, who as it turns out, owns several properties in Brunswick, Bath, Topsham, etc. He asked me about my interest in photography, about whether or not I had a website, business card, etc. At the time I had none of the above (isn't that crazy?!) but nonetheless, we exchanged contact information and kept in touch. Fast forward a few years and I've now had the opportunity to photograph several places that he owns. These opportunities have been incredible for several reasons. First, how amazing that I randomly ran into a person while I was doing some late-night photography who, it turns out, would need photography services down the road. Two, I will always appreciate that he saw something in me even though when we first met it was of course randomly and when I was in the very early stages of my career. And finally, I appreciate the trust that has been built and that I've had a chance to photograph around my hometown of Brunswick, documenting what things look like at this point in time. I've said this before and I'll say it again, photography has changed my life, for the better. I will never stop being grateful for all of the opportunities it has afforded me as well as the truly wonderful people I have met as a result!
