Shiny Happy Photographer

Excuse me a minute while I blow my own horn, but I am extremely stoked to see my name referenced in the Guampedia article on Guam Photography:

[Digital Photography] “With the emergence of digital photography technology in the 1990’s and almost total acceptance in the new millennium, a new group of photographers have become players in Guam’s art photography market. Many of the new photographers are former graphic artists with computer skills such as Steve Hardy, J.R. Manuel and Josie Moyer.”

I feel all shiny inside.
I feel this way for two reasons, actually. One, just being mentioned on Guampedia is really cool! And two, the very mention grants me the kind of validation I need from time to time. When I bought my first digital camera in 2001, it was purely for my own amusement. I didn’t imagine then that my little hobby would blossom into a new facet of my career in design. In retrospect, I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me as much as it does because my career in design itself started out as a hobby. The problem with that, though, is the insecurity and worry that comes along with being mostly self-taught: Am I good enough to do this professionally? When can I call myself a professional graphic artist/photographer/web designer (and hopefully one day videographer)? I think the answer is simple: you can call yourself a professional when all or most of your income comes directly from doing what it is you’re doing.