DISCOVER OUR STORY

PHOTOGRAPHERS ANONYMOUS: WHERE CAMERA ADDICTS COME CLEAN 📸

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"Hi, I'm David, and I'm a photography addict."
(This is where you say, "Hi David!" 👋)

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Like many of you, my story started in an unlikely place - the U.S. Air Force hangars, where I spent 22 years making sure the equipment that fixed planes didn't break. Think of it as being a mechanic's mechanic. But between tightening bolts and checking gauges, I was secretly having an affair... with my camera.

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PLOT TWIST: THE MILITARY MECHANIC GOES ROGUE

While my official job was maintaining aerospace equipment, my camera became my partner in crime. I tried to make it official by cross-training into combat camera roles, but the Air Force said, "Nice try, buddy, stick to your wrenches." Little did they know, I was building my photography empire during lunch breaks and weekends.

Think you've got gear acquisition syndrome now? Try explaining to your wife why you need that new lens when you're still on a military salary!

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FROM FIXING MACHINES TO FIXING MEMORIES

Military retirement came knocking, and I faced a choice: stay in my comfort zone or jump into the wild world of professional photography. With my wife Jane's support (and possibly questionable judgment), we took the leap.

The burning questions kept me up at night:
• "Can I charge more than $50 for a session?" (Spoiler: Yes, way more!)
• "Where do I find clients?" (Turns out, they're not hiding under rocks)
• "Will my military precision scare away clients?" ("Stand at attention for this pose" doesn't always work)
• "Is this really better than fixing equipment?" (No more oil stains on my clothes, so... yes!)

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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE PHOTOGRAPHY EDITION

Plot twist: Running a photography business is like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle... blindfolded... in the rain. But hey, at least nobody's life depends on your f-stop choices!

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THE BIRTH OF PA: BECAUSE MISERY LOVES COMPANY (JUST KIDDING... SORT OF)

After realizing that photographers are basically therapists with cameras, I thought, "Why not create a support group?" Thus, Photographers Anonymous was born - where it's totally okay to admit you have 17 camera bags and still want more.

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THIS IS YOUR SAFE SPACE TO:
• Confess how many times you've almost dropped a camera (we've all been there)
• Share your client horror stories (we'll bring the popcorn)
• Learn from others' mistakes (cheaper than making them all yourself)
• Find your tribe (warning: may result in excessive lens borrowing)

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WHO NEEDS PA?
• Career transitioners (because adulting is hard enough)
• Imposter syndrome sufferers (we're all faking it till we make it)
• Creative block fighters (when your only inspiration is your cat)
• Solo photographers (because talking to your camera isn't healthy)
• Anyone who's ever pretended their camera bag isn't really THAT heavy

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THE OPEN INVITATION

If you've ever:
• Spent rent money on camera gear
• Practiced camera sounds with your mouth
• Named your cameras
• Tried to Photoshop yourself thinner
• Considered selling a kidney for a prime lens

...then welcome home, friend. You're among your people.

At PA, we believe every photographer has a story worth telling, even if it's just explaining to your spouse why you need "just one more lens."

Welcome to Photographers Anonymous - where the first step is admitting you'll never have enough memory cards.

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CALLING ALL HOBBY SHOOTERS: YES, YOU BELONG HERE TOO!

"But I'm just a hobby photographer," you whisper, clutching your camera like it's not a 'real' professional tool. Hold up right there! At PA, "just" is a four-letter word we don't use (along with "gear acquisition syndrome" - okay, that's three words, but you get the point).

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YOU MIGHT BE A PASSIONATE HOBBYIST IF:

• Your family refuses to eat dinner until you've photographed it • Your spouse is tired of being your "test subject" • You've missed entire events because you were too busy photographing them • Your phone's storage is 99% photos of random things that "had great light" • You've ever chased a sunset while your family waited in the car

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WHY HOBBYISTS ROCK OUR WORLD:

You shoot for the pure joy of it (crazy concept, right?) • You're not afraid to experiment (because no client is waiting) • Your day job funds your photography addiction (smart move!) • You bring fresh perspectives (because you're not stuck in "industry standards") • You remind us why we fell in love with photography in the first place

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HOBBY PHOTOGRAPHER CONFESSIONS:

"Dear PA, I spent three hours photographing a leaf." "I pretend to tie my shoe when really I'm shooting interesting sidewalk textures." "I made my kids late to school because the morning light was perfect." "I have more photos of my dog than my spouse." (Don't worry, your secrets are safe with us! 🤫)

WHETHER YOU: • Shoot your kid's soccer games • Document family vacations • Chase butterflies with a macro lens • Photograph your dinner (we don't judge!) • Just love making memories

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YOU. BELONG. HERE.

Because at PA, we believe: • Photography isn't about the price tag on your gear • Passion doesn't require a business license • Joy doesn't need a paycheck • And sometimes the best shots come from the heart, not the wallet

So whether you're shooting with a pro-level DSLR or your trusty smartphone, whether you're making money or making memories, PA has a place for you. Because at the end of the day, we all speak the same language:

"Just one more shot!" (Narrator: It was never just one more shot)