I bloody love photography. Alongside blogging it's my favourite hobby. Actually, I don't know why I said that because blogging and photography are my only hobbies, but I don't care because I am so passionate about both of them. For my post this week, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you why I love photography so much and how I got into it. (The real reason being I didn't have time to take photos for this post, so doing a post about photography meant I could just reuse photos on my computer I already had. Omg the irony is unreal) 

I have always loved photography, this photo of me as a kid with a toy camera proves that! Apparently, I loved this camera to pieces. I grew up around my dad always taking photos, as he avidly enjoys photography himself. Thankfully, I got my creative side from him and a good eye for photography, may I add. He was always eager to get me into photography, and I shortly followed in his very large footsteps.

We used to enter a local photography competition each year, for many years we did this. Some years we even won which was great. Photography was always a great bonding activity for me and my dad, something that brought us very close together. I started from the bottom (as Drake would say) and I worked my way up camera-wise. I had lots of points and shoots as a child. I always remember taking them everywhere with me as a child but getting frustrated when I couldn't get the photos I wanted, because of the lack of settings and freedom. It was always my dream to own a DSLR! 

In year 10, I took GCSE photography and achieved an A*. Although there were ups, downs and lots of stressful lunchtimes in the computer suite editing away forgetting about my lunch, it was all worth it in the end. By the end of the two-year course, I had produced two videos, filled three sketchbooks and took countless photos. Although my teacher and I didn't always get on, she pushed me because she knew I could do it! (Even though I will never forgive her for ripping a page of my sketchbook out, the cow!) I made amazing friends in my class, and my dad was an absolute star in supporting me through the two years. His cutting and sticking skills were really appreciated.

At the end of my GCSES, my parents treated me to my first DSLR as a reward. I was over the moon! I got the cannon 100D, with an 18-55mm lens and a 55-250mm lens. I was excited to get playing and experimenting. Although it was frustrating at first, I soon got the hang of all the complicated settings. Again my dad was such a help in teaching me how everything works. I'm still learning to this day which is one of my favourite things about photography; you never stop learning! I soon got more kit for my camera including filters, which allow me to create cool effects and have more freedom with my photography. My photography wish list is forever extending, and I could spend allows drooling over £900 lenses! I would much rather spend £900 on a lens than put that towards something practical like a car! I know, I'm weird!

Although, I didn't carry on with photography in education and I don't plan to go into a photography based job in the future (although it would be fun). It's still one of my favourite things to do as a hobby. As I am a blogger, I take lots of photos for my blog. This keeps my photography interest going as sometimes, especially living in rainy England it's not always easy to get out and take photos. I like to take my time over my blog photography, including the editing process. 

Here are some of the photos I have taken which I am most proud of:

One of the main reasons I love photography is that it's such an excellent distraction for me. I suffer from OCD, which can be hard at times, but when I have my camera in my hand, I feel very calm. Instead of worrying about if I touched a door handle earlier that day or if I hadn't washed my hands enough, I am more concerned about making all my photos looking professional and creative. It's a great way to distract me from all those horrible intrusive thoughts in my head and get on with enjoying myself. 

As well as helping my mental health, I love how photography has improved the relationship between my dad and me. It gives us something we can talk about for hours. We share tips, photography magazines and could talk for ages about the kit we dream to have one day. I help him, and he helps me. It's really nice to have something that connects us together, which we both have a genuine interest in. I love all the trips we have been on over the years to get the perfect photos, it's been so much fun even if it's just down the road, I have so many fond memories. 

Nothing beats taking a good photo that you are really proud of. It gives me such a warm, fuzzy feeling inside and I just want to share that photo with the world. This makes me so happy and really helps with my low mood and mood swings. I love being good at something and able to admit that I am good at photography. I still make mistakes, and that's okay. Photography is an art and just like any other art it's a learning process. There is always so much to learn! I love love love photography because it's so creative! The possibilities and opportunities are endless! 

I look forward to continuing photography in the future. I look forward to travelling to new places and experimenting with my camera. I look forward to upgrading my kit and getting excited all over again, each time over what essentially is just pieces of plastic. But above all of this, I look forward to learning. You never stop learning about photography, and I am so eager to find out more in the future! 

Do you like photography? Or do you have another hobby you love? I would love to know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading

Nicole X