When people ask me how long I've been a photographer, I say "well, officially since 2004, but unofficially, since I was about 9 years old." I've always taken lots of art classes when I could get them, but nothing really grab me like photography. As far as I'm concerned, no camera will ever match the human eye and brain working together. I wish my eye with a camera. There are probably a dozen shots I take with my eye everyday of life as it unfolds around me. I guess the creative control, matched with the realism and impact of reality is what makes photography my favorite media to work with. I got my first real camera when I for my 16th birthday from my grandparents. Ever since then, it has been one giant a wish list of Photography gear at every birthday and Christmas ever since! Other kids would ask for cool clothes and a new bike,, I would ask for a polarized filter and a zoom lens! I still can't part with that old camera, it was a Pentax me super 35mm. It doesn't really work anymore, I don't even know who I would take it to to try and repair it. But I still take it out every time I give my photography bootcamp class so I can show the insides of a camera and what all the pieces are doing without fear of damage or dirt getting in there.