Thoughts From Two Young Guns…really young guns!

I remember Don Blair telling me he photographed his first wedding when he was only 14.  He wasn’t old enough to drive and had to climb on a city bus, complete with 8×10 view camera, tripod and camera bag.  His passion for photography and his drive to do whatever it took to get an image never changed.  

Very few of us knew what we wanted to do at that age, but here’s a fun story about two photographers who know exactly what they want to do.  It’s time everyone met Kristin and Kara Summey.  At 17 and 14 respectively, their passion for photography is pretty much unmatched!

The fun of this friendship started with me taking a call from MaryAnn, their mother about a year ago.  She was trying to get information on a program we were sponsoring.  She’d missed the program, so I suggested she come to WPPI a few months later.  Well, the whole family came – Mary Ann, Steve and both daughters, all of them professional photographers.   The looks on Kristin and  Kara’s faces for the next few days were somewhere in between a kid in a candy store and a deer in your headlights.  

Imagine the inspiration if you could have met and spent time with your icons at such an early age…Bambi Cantrell, Joe Buissink, Yervant and Jerry Ghionis, all among the first industry favorites they had a chance to meet and talk with on the very first day!

Their own words say describe their love for photography far better:

Photography is unique.  It requires the creative ability that you long to give.  It has the versatility to go anywhere at a moment’s notice.  It is as diverse as your imagination will allow.  It has that magic or wonder that makes people smile. 

I have been “technically” working as a photographer for the past three years.  My background in photography, however, goes much further back.  Being raised in a family of photographers is fairly self explanatory.   As far back as I can remember, I’ve been immersed in this fascinating creative world.  As a small child I remember seeing the flash going off in the shooting room, or wandering into the darkroom to be accosted with the familiar odor of chemicals, and the string of dimly lit photographs drying high above me.  I suppose you could say I couldn’t help but start learning when such an atmosphere was all around me.

Last February, I had the amazing opportunity to visit an international photography convention in Las Vegas.  What I learned there, and the incredible things I saw, are what really set me on fire for photography.  I’ve always enjoyed it, but ever since then photography, namely wedding and portrait photography, have truly become my passion.

   – Kristin Summey Age 17

And her sister, Kara, age 14, added:

Photography is so much fun because no matter who the person or what you are photographing, it is usually a very upbeat job. I would love to be a destination wedding photographer, because of all the traveling you get to do, such as a wedding in France and then being asked to do nothing but your favorite thing in the world.   It is neat working with all the different people in photography because of their individual personalities.  Some love artsy and some love old masters, and to watch their reaction when they get their portraits makes everything worthwhile. I hope to be a photographer for a long time and look forward to all the amazing people I will meet.

Kirstin and Kara, here’s a big “thanks” for making my day.   With all of the challenges of the economy and technology, the two of you sent me crashing back to remembering what it is I love about this industry!    It really isn’t so much about imaging, but the passion we all share for the craft and some very special friendships!

What a kick it’s going to be following both of your careers!