I am not a professional photographer in the fact that I have never made my living taking pictures. I have sold a few prints at craft fairs and I did have one retail client pay me for my services but that would be it. I have shot some weddings and portraits as well but they were for friends so I did if for free. I love taking pictures but I have to admit that I haven’t formed the best habits. I rarely carry a tripod. I walk around with my camera hanging near my hip and when I recognize an interesting scene, like a six gun shooter I draw my gun, pop off a few shots and move on.
I rarely work a subject like I should and I probably miss making some great photos because I don’t always search for a slightly better angle or wait for a better moment in time. I frequently find myself out taking pictures at the worst time of day in terns of light and I don’t always return to a scene as often as I should when the light is more conducive to a good photograph. Finally, my photography goes in fits and starts. I shoot like crazy for short periods of time especially while travelling and then my camera collects dust sometimes for very long periods of time.
All of that said I do love the craft and have taken hundreds of thousands of photographs, some of which I am quite proud to say I made. My interest in photography started when I was 15 years of age when I bought my first 35mm film camera. However, my learning curve was very slow in large part due to how expensive film and processing was. I really didn’t improve my abilities much until after I bought my first digital SLR, a Nikon D200. That camera allowed me to take as many photos as I wanted. It also allowed me to instantly see if what I was doing in terms of the camera controls was working for the type of picture I was trying to create.
What draws me to take pictures? For one, I love the challenge of finding something small and interesting within the chaos the world throws at us. It makes me more observant. It makes me notice things I would otherwise just pass by. I also love how the click of the shutter can freeze a fleeting moment in time. Looking back at old photographs of people and places really emphasizes how the world is changing. Photographs tell stores, photographs make statements, photographs can go beyond the literal into something more impressionistic or they can simply be pleasing to look at. These are a just a few of the reasons I keep pressing that shutter. Thanks for visiting my gallery. I truly hope you find it time well spent.
All images Copyright © 1996-2026 Steven J. Mazza
fineartphotosales@gmail.com