How My Passion Died In Me

Good health, family, and relationships are more important than making money.

I do not know how to draw. My handwriting sucks. Growing up having a hard time even buying notebooks and pencils was a pain.

During my school days, my art class results were bad. I can recall my teacher once telling me, I will have a hard time in life the way I draw because it was full of lines and very messy. I hated art classes after that.

Photography was never taught at my time.

When I was 14, it was where I noticed I like to look at photographs. It was the first time I got notice when I was walking along the street of Claveria — one of the busiest streets in Davao City, Philippines. I saw this man holding a camera. Was taking pictures of a pretty lady inside the store.

I stood right outside and kept watching from a glass facade that my face stuck onto the glass. Until one person asked me to leave, she said hoy! Do not look! I can recall that she wasn’t that nice when she said it.

But I left happy. I wasn’t sure at that time why.

Time passes by, working students from one teacher to the other. Until I finished college. The very first thing I bought when I got money was a Pentax portable camera. It was when you needed to turn each time you take pictures. ( I do not have it anymore).

How I started realizing my passion for Photography

I was working and taking part-time computer classes at night. Knowing how to use computers and other stuff was a very important part of our life at that time. My boss told me if I have good knowledge of computers, I will have a good future.

I ended up taking more courses at night and ended up in Photography classes when I found out that there were classes about Photography.

From that time, I met many photographers, locals, and overseas. I go with them for short trips to many places rain or shine. We paid for models and our makeup artists.

We shot wildlife and even little insects. Staying long hours talking and sharing our images during weekends with our old computer.

On the sideline, during my free time, I asked some Filipina if they want to be photographed and that I can give them free photos in return. I was using film then and every penny that came out of my pocket was hard to earn.

I was building my portfolio

But by taking photographs with many gorgeous Filipina in Singapore, I became famous, and this is where I make money from taking pictures of Filipino Beauty Pageant and Tea Dances.

Tea dance is what we call a Disco Bar that opens 1 in the afternoon.

During the tea dance, Filipina organized a beauty contest, like fashion photography for me. Taking pictures during stage presentations and such.

Many were talking about my work and my name. Many were hiring me to take a pre-wedding photograph and pay me handsomely, especially when a lady is marrying a foreigner.

Money keeps pouring. I was at the right time.

In 2005 I got married and I became more confident with myself that I can do my passion into a business.

My studio opens in Lucky Plaza, Orchard road where you find many Filipino foods and groceries.

2005 was the boom of Digital Imaging.

Before I opened a photography studio, I had skills in making women beautiful such as make-up for photography. I learned it at one of the make-up schools in Singapore.

For Photoshop, I bought a book and self-practiced it with a Windows computer.

Set up the studio and it runs well. People were making lines outside the shop and neighbors were not happy about it.

Until I hire a backup photographer and 2 more makeup artists.

Money pouring like rain on the table.

When my cashier presents the photos to the customers, they have no hesitation but to buy everything. To them, their photos are the best.

Years have passed, now I have 2 studios.

The problem arises when the customers only want me to take pictures of them. Hiring someone to run the other studio helps. Photography running costs got more expensive and so the price of my pictures went up. But I still have to be present when someone demands my name.

I treat my customers very special and I never want to disappoint them. So I am there for them at all costs when they want me to take pictures of them.

In 2012, Singapore’s employment law for foreign workers changed. It was too hard for me to employ a photographer that suits my kind of style. The employment law I can no longer comply with.

I end up closing one studio. Running one studio, with 2 make-up artists.

I stop taking pre-nuptial shots, all shots done in my studio and in my client’s offices only. A lot of work I refuse, as I cannot afford my time.

I changed to diversify my clientele from much affordable for everyone to a more concentrated type of corporate, family, and personal type of photography.

I focused on improving my style, more quality work so my client’s money was worth it.

But running your own business such as photography is a skill that customers need in your presence.

When my husband comes home from overseas, or he will go on a long holiday trip. I am not able to join him. That is the disadvantage of a special skill business.

Burned out and did not like it anymore. I became sick. Very sick mentally and physically. Working early and going home late at night.

Why?

In photography, taking a shot is just the first part of the job. The second and last were completing those hundreds or thousands of images in front of a computer was the most painful. Hours and hours of editing. It has to be perfect.

My passion dies in me because I have no time for other things anymore. Friends disappearing.

And I said… I do not want my husband to disappear one day.

In 2016, I closed the business. I gave away my equipment. I did not want to touch it ever again.

Conclusion

My passion came back in a different way

4 years plus not having to touch a professional camera. I missed it so much. I miss looking at a subject that might be a great image.

I miss holding a nice camera with lenses before I can adjust and maneuver myself.

Today, I am back into taking professional shots but no longer running a studio. I do it on my own time.

I may not make so much money like I did before but I am sure I have my own time for my family and myself. I hope you like what you just read.

Thank you for reading.

Elvie

I’ve written some articles about Photography.