This past year was Mason's first year in school. Often he would come home and say that he hoped that he would be caught being kind. I wondered what that meant. One day he came bursting through the door yelling "MOMMY, MOMMY! I was caught being kind". He then explained that if he helped classmate out without being asked, or did something nice for anyone else and the teacher noticed, sometimes she would send the name to the office and it would be announced over the loud speaker and a prize would be given. Needless to say he was so excited and I was so proud.
That idea stuck in my mind and as I progress through photography there are a number of people that have helped me along my way. Once in a while I send emails with questions and I'm always amazed by the kind response and time that these people take to help out. I would like to start a Bi-weekly or Monthly posting entitled "Caught Being Kind", to recognize some of those photographers who despite their success haven't forgotten the little people!
*Here is my only disclaimer.... I don't wish to target any photographer featured to be bombarded with emails. Help me honor them by taking this as incentive to reach out to your favorite photogs or maybe you can help out someone in your area.
First Photographer:
My (now) friend Tracy Abston of
PicturesbyTracyTrue story:
Once upon a time not so long ago, I was given Tracy's website. First time I visited the site, I cried. Tears over the emotion captured in each picture but most of all tears of longing. I longed to be a photographer just like her. Over the course of the next few months I visited her blog often. One day I decided that I would contact her. My actual thought was, "the worst that can happen is that she could respond with some derogatory comments". I had been there and done that with another photographer and I decided that if it happened again that would be it for me. I would pack it up and call my endeavour into photography a bust. So if you look at this very literal, Tracy could have made or broke me depending on what she wrote back.
Tracy responded and asked for me to send some of my work. I quickly sent them and looking back now at what I sent, it must have taken so much for her not to just toss out the email like I had never sent it, but she didn't (thank God)! She sent kind and honest feedback.
Long story short... it's only been a few years but the growth I've experience through Tracy has surpassed any and every other quest I've been on for knowledge in photography. She has always been honest and helpful beyond the realm of photography. I am blessed to have had Tracy in some hard spots in my life and now I don't just think of Tracy as this really amazing photographer that once helped me out, I think of her as my friend who continues to help me grow throughout all areas of life.
Tracy, I learned so much about being a photographer through you but the greatest that I've learned from you is how to be a giving and kind person. There are so many people who's respect I've had to earn on this journey in photography, people who wouldn't give me the time of day before I grew a bit and the work began to get better but Tracy took time for me when I was a nobody and for that I am thankful to catch Tracy Abston being kind!
Love you girl!
♥Melissa
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