Over this summer I have taken on a new adventure with my photography, one which is going to cause me to grow, as both a person and as a photographer, in a very different way. I have taken on the role of president of my local photography club, The Photographic Society of Rhode Island!
While I have always been the type of person to get involved and lend a hand, the role of president is a new one for me. Although I am nervous, I am up for the challenge. When first asked, I had no intent of accepting and laughingly told my wife “You can’t believe what the folks at photo club asked me to do!”. I explained that I had been asked to be the president of the organization, and she simply looked at me and said “Well, why not?”. I listed the few concerns that I had and her reply was simply “You can help them”. I think that is when it started to sink in. Maybe she was right, maybe I could help!
For the next several days I debated in my mind whether this would be the right thing to do – for myself, and for the club. I talked with several members of the club, some co-workers and the members of my family. In the end I realized that I will be doing many of the same things that I have been doing in my career and in my personal life, and that is helping people. I looked at the things that I was concerned about, and I realized that I needed to change – I needed to step out of my comfort zone, I needed to step up and just do it!
It has made this summer a busy one, as I try to come up to speed on all the things that I need to learn about the club, and start to put together a schedule of events that will excite our membership, and help them in our mutual journey with photography!
As I write this, I come to realize that I am no longer nervous and afraid, but rather excited to start this adventure in photography!