A Big Change and a New Chapter in Life

In May, John made a big decision. He has been doing photography on the side for a couple years. However, in May he decided to take it full time. He quit his well-paid job with great benefits to start his own photography business. This was both an exciting and scary decision for him. The following is a blog post he shared on his photography blog when he made the transition to full time. It’s been amazing to watch his talent and business grow over the past few years and I know he will be successful in this new chapter.

Ten years ago, the photo below, entitled “Tied Down” was taken for a project in my AP art class.  (Techie side note: Shot on Kodak TMAX 3200 film) At that time, I was a photography “freak”.  I was passionate about this hobby, I had a vision, and thought I had found my calling in life.  I submitted this photo for a state high school competition and won the master’s award for photography.  This piece was later selected as one of 25 pieces from high school students around the USA to hang in the Chicago Institute of Art.  I wrote a caption with this photo which stated the purpose and concept behind the image.  This photo was to be a representation of how many people choose to lead their lives…tied down, never leaving their comfort zones, and don’t go beyond what they are capable of.     

As high school graduation neared, I received multiple scholarships for my photography (I don’t state this to brag, but rather to make a point).  However, the thought of actually pursuing an art degree terrified me.  I had no desire to be a “starving artist”.  Rather I took the easier route and pursued a career path that felt comfortable.  I obtained a business degree back in 2006 and began working for a top accounting firm.  Upon completing my first day of work I came home to tell Emily I had made the wrong career choice.  Sadly, I had no idea what the right career choice should be.  In 2008, I was asked by friends to take some photos of their children.  Hesitantly, I accepted their invitation.  I came home that evening and was floored by the results.  I had once again contracted the “photography bug".  Meanwhile, I continued to work my corporate dream job.  I began picking up more and more photo jobs.  Many times, I thought to myself…”could I really make a career as a photographer?”  Time passed and I began taking on more and more photography assignments…weddings started pouring in, I began attending various workshops and conventions across the US. 

Photography work began to devour me as I tried to keep afloat with my job.  So in October 2009, I decided to take on a less demanding job for Target Corporation.  It was still a corporate job, but it was much less demanding.  This job was perfect, great people, great work -life balance, and great work environment.  However, something was missing.  My mind often wandered from work to photography, but my thoughts of becoming a photographer were quickly overshadowed by doubts, fear, and failure.  Thoughts of my cost of education degree, stable health benefits, and a steady paycheck kept me from pursuing my passion.  A few months ago, I stumbled across my photo of “Tied Down”.  Like reading a fortune cookie, I read the caption and realized that I had become the very thing that I warned against in a photography project ten years earlier.  It was mind-blowing…I have always been one to preach that you must do what you love because life if too short.  Yet, I found myself doing what I didn’t love and was miserable. 

It was a turning point in my life.  I decided I needed to practice what I preached and to take the leap.  Last Monday marked my first week as a self-employed guy.  It’s scary, exciting, and refreshing all at the same time.  Although I have mixed feelings  about this decision, I know that it is the right one.  That said, here’s to a new chapter in life and doing what you love.  Wish me luck!

With this new chapter, comes a push toward a new look and feel for John Sharpe Photography. Things will be changing here over the next several months starting with a new blog.

A Visit From A Friend

Tasha came to visit! Tasha and I have been friends since I moved to Timpview my freshman  year of high school. We always joke about how we couldn’t get rid of each other. She moved sophomore year to Salem into my mom’s ward and so we stayed friends. Then I moved to Nephi senior year and she was dating someone down there. Well, we’ve managed to stay best friends since and I don’t know what I would do without her. Love you Tash!

Tasha was our first non-family visitor to Minnesota and I was really excited to show her all the highlights. She was here for 3 days and it was busy! The first day we went to the Outlet mall in Albertville. I can’t believe I’ve lived here 4 years and hadn’t gone. I will definitely be visiting the outlets again soon! The second day we wandered around Minneapolis and I showed her some of the highlights. The last day we spent at the Mall of American (of course). It was a short visit but so much fun!

We first visited the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis. It’s a pedestrian/bike bridge that crosses the Mississippi and has great views of the skyline.

The Twin Cities is famous for their mills and flour, back in the day.Then we headed over to the Walker Sculpture Garden. I didn’t know the Spoon with the cherry sculpture (Spoonbridge and Cherry) was here, until I moved to MN.  The only other time I’ve visited the sculpture garden was in the winter (you may remember this post) and I didn’t realize the sculpture was a fountain as well… 

  Tasha wanted a picture of this random sculpture… We also ate Sushi in Uptown, drove around Lake Calhoun, then stopped at the St Paul Cathedral on our way home

It was a fun, busy weekend. We love having visitors and we have an extra bedroom so please come visit!

A weekend in Chicago – April 2010

John and I went to Chicago in April. John has been many times for work but I have never been. One of John’s favorite photographers, Jerry Ghionis, held a workshop in Chicago and John had signed up to attend it. John had an amazing time at the workshop and you can read about his experience Here:  Jerry Ghionis Workshop.

The weekend prior to the workshop John and I went down to spend the weekend together in Chicago.  We had a fun time being tourists and enjoying the city. We took an early Saturday morning flight so that we would have the entire day to play.  We went and saw Navy Pier, took the Architecture Boat Tour (highly recommended), saw Millennium Park, and walked through the Art Institute of Chicago.  When we weren’t seeing the sites, we were consuming delicious food (Sushi, Indian, and Chicago deep dish were among our favorites).  One thing we didn’t plan for was the cutting wind. I only brought the brown sweater seen in every picture but wish I had planned for cooler weather. It was a weekend of memories! 

John and I were waiting at a bus stop so we grabbed a shot of each of us.

Navy Pier

John always makes me laugh when he takes my picture. He’s kind of a dork but I love him! I  think John is pretending to laugh here, hopefully… Yes, we have stretchy foreheads ;) I seriously love springtime. Living through Minnesota winters makes Spring so much better.  From the architectural boat tour we were able to see the famous corncob buildings, they are in just about every movie shot in Chicago (i.e. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Tommy Boy) One of our favorite things to do when we are in a city is to walk around and explore… and of course take pictures. John’s quote from his blog: “This guy was a blinker, but I finally got him.”  We had so much fun sitting at the Millennium Bean (Cloud Gate). Looking at these pictures brings out my OCD though, I just want to wipe off the fingerprints…. LOVE this shot of the sunset reflection in the bean    We stayed at the Palmer House. It was a neat, old hotel with a lot of charm.

I absolutely loved the Art Institute of Chicago. It was an amazing museum with so many great pieces. The bonus was the Matisse exhibit. We couldn’t take photos inside, but here was the entrance to the exhibit.

I was amazed how big this painting is in real life! So cool!! (Georges Seurat – A Sunday on LaGrande Jatte) Van Gogh…amazing!  Picasso. Did I mention I was in heaven? I wish we had more time that day. Nice to finally see Grant Wood’s American Gothic.