Hello Reader !
I hated every minute of it?
25 years behind the camera as a portrait and wedding photographer.
It wasn’t my dream field, but it was the one I stumbled into… practical, familiar, and in demand.
But deep down, I always wondered… can you teach an “old dog” (like me) a new trick?
Let’s find out…
What I really wanted was to capture the raw beauty of landscapes and the unpredictable grace of wildlife.
But my reality wasn’t as glamorous as my dreams.
Here’s how I struggled with the idea of stepping into uncharted territory.
Back in the ‘90s, I didn’t have a clue where to start.
Portraits and weddings were a safer bet because people needed them, and I knew how to deliver.
Landscapes?
Wildlife?
Just a hobby…
…something I dabbled in during the occasional hike.
Honestly, the results weren’t great, and deep down, I thought…
“Maybe I’m just not cut out for it.”
That doubt lingered for years.
By 2015, after shooting 500+ weddings over 14 years, I felt like a candle burned to the wick…
…flickering but barely alive.
I quit cold turkey—sold most of my gear, and told myself I was done.
When I sold my gear, it wasn’t just the end of a career…
…it felt like I was letting go of a part of myself.
Photography had defined me for decades, and without it, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore.
It felt like I was closing the door on a part of myself I’d never get back.
I wasn’t just losing a career… I was losing my identity.
But life has a funny way of bringing us back to the things we love, even when we think we’ve left them behind.
A few months later, the photography bug bit me again.
Except this time, I wasn’t picking up the camera for a paycheck…
I was doing it for me.
At first, I was skeptical.
Can you really teach an old dog new tricks?
Turns out, the answer is a resounding yes.
Oh, and here’s the twist: not only did I finally dive into the landscapes and wildlife I’d dreamed of, but I also started teaching photography.
It’s proof that it’s never too late to learn, grow, and reignite your passion.
So, yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks… twice over.
Here’s what I’ve learned…
…growth doesn’t care how old you are.
It cares how curious you are.
When I shifted my focus to landscape and wildlife photography, I discovered that my years of portrait work hadn’t gone to waste.
My understanding of light and composition translated, but I still had a lot to learn…
• New techniques.
• Different tools.
• Fresh perspectives.
Learning photography all over again felt like tending to a garden.
It started with small seeds of curiosity… trying new techniques, experimenting with settings… and with care and patience, those seeds grew into a vibrant new passion.
And my transformation from ordinary to extraordinary photos was within my grasp.
the Blue Hour Moment That Confirmed My Transformation
One morning, my wife kicked me out of the cabin.
I snore, apparently.
With nowhere to sleep, I grabbed my camera and wandered to the edge of the gorge at Letchworth State Park.
The world was still in shadow, the air crisp with the scent of pine and the horizon waiting to wake up.
I wasn’t sure what I’d find.
But then… as the first hints of Blue Hour painted the horizon, I realized I was witnessing something magically delicious.
That morning, I created my favorite landscape photo of all time…
…a moment that confirmed my transformation and reminded me why I’d picked up a camera in the first place.
And here’s the same area from 15 years prior… a stark reminder of how far I’ve come.
If this transformation is possible for me, it’s possible for you, too.
It’s never too late to chase what you love… and with curiosity, you can create better images.
And here’s the kicker… the process of learning something new wasn’t as daunting as I feared.
Here’s what I did and what I recommend you do…
Set small goals: Instead of trying to master everything at once, I focused on improving one aspect at a time, like capturing the perfect sunrise.
Stay curious: I read, watched tutorials, and experimented with different settings and compositions.
Find a community: Sharing my progress and learning from others kept me motivated.
And for every failed shot or frustrating session, there was a moment of clarity... a breakthrough that reminded me why I loved photography in the first place.
And here’s the truth: photography doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit.
Start Your Transformation By Sharing
The right community connects you with others who’ve been where you are… and who are ready to help you get where you want to go.
Think of it as your compass… guiding you through new techniques, composition exploration, and creative breakthroughs.
Share your photos in our PhotoMation community today and spark your transformation.
Don’t wait. Your transformation is closer than you think!
Not yet a member? Click here to join PhotoMation for free.
Have an awesome day!
Chris Parker
Parker Photographic
P.S. Think you’re ‘too old’ to learn?
That’s just a story you’ve been telling yourself.
But with curiosity and the right support, transformation is closer than you think.
Why not join PhotoMation today and prove yourself wrong?
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