Enough lurking I say... I had better introduce myself, particularly to the people I am blog / myspace / facebook stalking

I am Jonathan, married for 3 years to Naomi, as of March. We live just outside Sydney's CBD in Australia on the coast

We have 2 beautiful sons: Josiah (2.5 years) and Samuel (10 months)

Ive just pushed my hobby of photography into full-time and hoping to make a living out of it! Previously I have been involved in full-time Christian ministry for the past 6 years! (phew!)

Let me just add you guys make me want to shift to the States! It is so awesome how you guys get together and share photog / other stuff! There isnt really anything like that here, particularly amongst wedding photog'ers.

the pleasure is mine!

Jonathan

welcome! i came to osp right about the same point in my career- and it has proven to be invaluable. the support and knowledge is overwhelming. what an amazing group of people.
<3 kristy

Welcome Jonathan! I joined OSP last year just as I was transitioning from hobbiest to career as well, OSP has been AMAZING in my growth and knowledge as well!

I know there are a few more Aussies on the board (though no idea how close they are to you) but you may want to look into organizing a get together over there, that's all it's taken for OSP, the west coast organized our first one in central California last February and I'm hoping (hint hint everyone........) that we do one again soon!

Looking forward to seeing you around more!

Hi, Jonathan, and welcome to OSP!!

If you have the time, initiative, and people skills, you could begin networking among photographers and start a regular gathering. Sometimes it just takes the interest and enthusiasm of someone like you to pull folks together and build up a great group.

Enjoy!

Welcome to OSP!! Glad you joined us!

Welcome! I just introduced myself today. Wow. Six years in ministry. Hillsong United fan?

Yeah I am a fan of theirs
starting to get big over there huh!?

thanks all for your kind words!

A warm Aussie welcome to you Johnathon. This place is the BEST thing that ever happened to me regarding my photography. I'm not exaggerating....the impact of OSP on me has been HUGE. I hope you get as much from this forum as I have....
(and I know what you mean about wanting to move to the U.S. and being envious of all their get togethers. I do actually dream about a long holiday when my kids are much older, and actually being able to meet some of these amazing people. You gotta have dreams!!!)




Hey Bruce...

That's exactly what I did here in 'lil old Bendigo. When I first joined OSP I didn't know a single local photographer. Now we have a really nice little group of 5 of us, which is slowly growing. Not all the photogs here know the meaning of 'lovecat'. There's still a very guarded and suspitious mentality! I'm sure over time we can break that down for most though.

We get together regularly, show off what we've shot lately, and often go over PS techniques, LR, individual issues we're having....have a few drinks, LOTS of laughs. There really is nothing quite so great as spending time with 'like-minded' people...AND you don't have to worry about boring each other to death!

We all recently travelled to Melbourne in the same car for the Gerry and Bambi seminar. Quite aside from the saving on petrol, we had the BEST time...talked our heads off all the way home. Then just last week we got together in my studio with a model to try and 're-create' what we'd seen and learned. It was brilliant, because we had all retained different aspects of the day.... we were able to piece all the info back together.

I'm so very glad our little group is happening. I just love having the support and back-up of each other...both professionally and on a more personal level. I LOVE having other photogs that I call treasured friends.

I totally recommend you attempt to do this Johnathon. I admit it's not easy to get started, but there is a bit of a snowball effect once there's a few of you.....


Annie