WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST CAMERA?

I believe I received my first camera for a birthday, as I recall the weather being warm, which makes sense since my birthday is in May. The memory of that day is still vivid. 

The camera was red, chunky, and operated with film that had to be carefully loaded in a dark place to avoid spoiling it. Once ready, I would head outside with my childhood friend, right in front of the flats where we used to play. We’d dress up in the classic ’90s fashion, complete with hats that were all the rage back then, and pose with arms outstretched, standing on posts, ready for the camera to capture our joyful moments.

The excitement I felt was incredible. We would send off the film to be developed, and the thrill of finally seeing our faces in the photos was unforgettable. I remember flicking through them, checking our expressions, and reliving the fun.

I also took that camera on a school trip, though I can’t recall where we went, except that there was a bridge and some swans. I snapped away enthusiastically, not realizing at the time that the film would come back with ghost-like images—where two exposures had merged, causing one picture to be slightly faded and overlaid onto another. I’m sure I still have those photos somewhere. If I ever find them, I’ll definitely share them.

This camera is where my passion for photography truly began. I even took it on a PGL adventure camp one year, bringing along multiple rolls of film to capture memories and the new friends I might make. But when I got home, I discovered the camera hadn’t taken a single picture. Something had malfunctioned, and I felt so sad and deflated that I put the camera away and didn’t touch it for a while.

 Then came the birth of my first child. My husband had a camera, and we bought lots of film to capture every precious moment—her first feed, her smiles, her playing with toys. That familiar excitement for photography reignited in me, the urge to capture every special moment.

 When digital cameras arrived, it was like entering a whole new world. By then, my son had been born, and I continued taking as many pictures as I could. In 2007, a close friend of ours got married, and I was thrilled to be invited. The hen party was a blast—we laughed, giggled, and, of course, drank a little too much. The digital camera came with us! 

At the wedding, I became what the industry calls an “Uncle Bob”—you know, the one standing in the aisle, snapping pictures with no regard for the professional photographer. I wasn’t quite *that* bad, I promise! But with my first digital camera in hand, I captured one of my favourite wedding photographs to this day.

From there, my love for photography only grew. With each new child, technology advanced, making it easier and more convenient to take photos on the go and see them instantly.

In 2013, I left a job I loved and took the plunge to start my own photography business. I haven’t looked back since, and it has been the most rewarding decision.

So, a huge thank you to Uncle Simon for gifting me that first camera and sparking my lifelong passion for photography.