My first memory of touching a camera, I remember 2 things. 1. I was very young, and 2. It was during a family camping trip. I was around 5 or 6 years old and I can remember all of us getting on this funny looking bus that shuffled people around the camping grounds. My father handed me a camera and told me to take some pictures. I had no clue what I was doing, but I do remember feeling important just holding it. When I figured out how the shutter worked, I was instantly transformed into a professional spy ninja photographer. The camera itself was nothing special, just an old point and shoot film camera that had to be wound up to be used. I would wind that thing up and BOOM, instant gratification as the shutter came down. I was snapping pictures under peoples noses, wood grain, passenger planes in the sky, haha I did not care, if it was there I was all over it.

Later on, I remember my parents showing me the developed pictures and telling me "how great of a job I did". I was so happy, but now that I think back, I'm pretty sure they removed the film before giving me the camera. Smart move parents, touche(in my best Stewie voice impersonation). Anyway, this is my first memory of holding a camera and after all these years I still feel the same when holding one. Regardless of professional shoots or personal photos, I never forget those first moments and how great it felt.

I still have that old point and shoot camera. Every once in a while I'll dig it out just to play with it and listen to the shutter. Memories like the ones I've described here are what truly matter to me, and they make up most of what drives me to inspire, share and create. Time is precious, and so are the memories we remember.

It has been, and always will be my goal to create how the mind remembers moments. The eyes can only remember what they see, but the mind has an amazing ability to "fictionalize" moments we remember. Like swimming in that GIGANTIC pool as a child, and revisiting it later when you've grown. It somehow seems much smaller and less "spectacular". I want to capture that "spectacular" so we remember it forever:).

I really Hope this story has helped in giving you a glimps into my life. In the future I'm sure I'll be posting more thoughts so be sure to check back.


Regards,

-- Joseph Sylvester