How To’s – A Great Marriage

Self Portrait with my Camera Sherpa

Self Portrait with my Camera Sherpa © 2010 Bo Mackison

This is me. I’m the photographer – see the arm with the camera raised in position to take a photograph of the bare path. And the other shadowy figure? He’s my camera Sherpa. That is my partner’s description of himself when he is out in the field with me.

At first, he only carried my camera gear – HIS choice – because he didn’t like the (very) casual way I flung my sling backpack around when I was in a hurry to change lenses for the next shot. He thinks camera lenses are not expensive toys to fling about, and he is right.

He is also a numbers guy: lots of initials behind his name at the office; analytical; organized in a scary sort of way; innate ability to read 30 pages of tax code and interpret the gobbledygook into meaningful directives. (Well, maybe not meaningful, but he does interpret them.)

But now, the changes are a’ comin’. He’s arriving home from his work-related meetings, hours away from our town, and saying, “You gotta see this barn. It will make a great photo. Three silos!” Or “Let’s drive to Galena this weekend. If we get there early enough, the sunlight should be perfect on the old stone houses.” He knows the Golden Rule and the Rule of Thirds. He’s commenting on my photos, and not saying things like “nice” or “pretty” or “what is it?” any longer.

And not only are his talents blooming in the creative direction. He’s also muttering things like, “Turning your photography into a business makes so much sense…” and “Now as a legal entity, you need to make a business plan…” and “When you go market your product, keep your receipts…” and “Our photo expedition to the Southwest this fall – $5.00/gallon gas – all those expenses… tax-deductible!”

Hey, no wonder I’ve kept this guy around for 33 years. He’s pretty remarkable.

In lots and lots of ways.