heidisbca

I first fell in love with photography as a kid at summer camp in the late 1980s, learning black-and-white film photography the hands-on way—shooting, developing my own film, and spending hours in the darkroom. That foundation stuck with me, and I continued learning and experimenting throughout college. When digital photography arrived and darkrooms faded away, I hesitated to make the leap. I never stopped taking photos, but for many years my creativity lived mostly on my phone, captured whenever inspiration struck. I’ve spent eight years teaching middle school science (grades 6–8) and now teach 5th grade, where curiosity, observation, and asking good questions are part of everyday learning—skills that translate beautifully to photography. In the past year, everything came full circle. I invested in a Canon mirrorless camera and a 100–400 lens for an African safari, and I’ve been fully hooked ever since—rediscovering the joy of intentional shooting while learning new tools and techniques in the digital world. My Pentax K-1000 will always be my first love and most cherished camera, but I’m finally embracing this new era of photography. I’m grateful to have rekindled my passion and excited to keep growing, learning, and connecting with other photographers along the way.