Switching Careers

I’ve heard that people change jobs, on average, three times during their life.
I have been a Cashier, a Secretary/Office Manager, and now a Photographer.

Back in July, I started a new job as a school photographer. I go to a different school every day and take the yearly pictures of students that go into the yearbook. Yep, that’s my job now. And it’s sooooooo fun. Interacting with the students has rewards. When they see their picture and immediately hate it, but then love it when I allow them to retake it until they have the exact look they want, it makes my heart happy knowing that’s the picture their parents will be sending out in Christmas cards or as gifts. Especially those junior high or high school kids. They all hate their pictures, so when they actually smile in approval, it’s worth it.

Starting at the beginning of August (school registrations begin about this time), we work through the end of November (this includes all picture make up days). We start back up again in the beginning of March and work through the end of May. Our work year is scheduled to coincide with the student school year, so we are always off the same holidays. Yay!

Having this job has allowed me to be around the house more. I leave between 4:30 and 6:00 every morning, but I’m typically home by three or four in the afternoon. Some days are so quick and easy, that I’m home by noon.

I have an entire camera rig that I carry around in my truck every day. It consists of eight cases and a foot step. Each piece contains a different part of the rig that I put together. For example, one case has the camera and battery, one has all the lights, one has the background, etc. Nine total items. They fit perfectly together (think Tetris) onto a folding cart, that ultimately turns into a side table that I use to hold combs, my spray bottle, and any miscellaneous paperwork. From start to finish, it takes about 45 minutes to put all the pieces together and get the camera callibrated.

It’s a job that I never in a million years, imagined I would have. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait for the Spring season to start.