Take the Long Way Home
I'm working on my third career. It's never too late to do what you love. Good you if you figure out what that is earlier than I did!
Being a corporate marketer was great. I enjoyed working on creative, even the challenge of satisfying the "I-don't-have-a-clue-what-I-want-but-I-know-this-isn't-it" clients. For ten-plus years, I've been a consultant, with wonderful clients and a great mix of left- and right-brain work. I've analyzed how anonymous households watch TV and managed multi-corporation cooperative marketing programs. I've done planning and budgeting for start-ups, and created, placed and managed digital ads. I've had the flexibility to set my own hours and to volunteer with non-profit organizations.
The flexibility has also given me more time to observe. Looking through a camera and lens has helped me to observe with more clarity and to better appreciate everything and everyone around me.
Without photography, I might never have realized that the bridge a quarter-mile from our house runs north-south and is perfectly positioned for sunrise AND sunset. Or that all it takes to attract a half-dozen species of birds around here is to keep a backyard container filled with black oil sunflower seeds.
These discoveries, and many more, bring me joy that I've never found in running a great conference, learning Tableau or selecting the perfect voiceover talent.
The focus of my photography has so far been landscape and wildlife. I love photographing people, especially taking candid shots that capture people being themselves. So if I point my camera at you, don't feel obligated to look at me right away - keep doing what you're doing and forget I'm here!
I'd love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts and suggestions, or ask me anything about my photography or crazy career paths. I'll reply.
Thank you!