A picture is worth a thousand words

– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young –

It’s pretty rare to see me without my camera – I even take it shopping with me. What? I have separation anxiety!

Safe to say, my camera is my best friend. He’s always there for me, someone I can depend on, someone I can talk to and who loves me unconditionally.

It took me many years to save enough to buy a camera of my own, something I wanted for so long and truly needed for work. But, finally, I had enough saved and after researching which camera would be the best fit for what I needed, I bought a Canon Rebel EOS T6s and all the accoutrements.

When it came, I was over the moon and started snapping photos right away. It just so happened that it was October, so there were all kinds of spooky, cool things to take pictures of, as I learned all the new features of Bernard. (Of course I named my camera, what else did you expect?)

Armed with my baby, Bernard, and my leather camera bag, Loretta, I set off on what would be seven years of adventures. Some of our adventures were the most amazing times of my life, like taking pictures of Johnny Depp at Rock Fest, or of the Bishop and governor. Some weren’t quite so fun, as car accidents and fires are not fun, and change lives in an instant.

Still, I wouldn’t trade our memories together for anything and the photos I have, I consider my art. In some cases, other people think so, too, as I have had several chosen to grace bank calendars and I’ve even sold a few, including taking wedding and senior photos. A couple years ago, a shot I took won a first place newspaper award, which meant so much to me.

One landscape photo that I took after a night of play practice, is actually hanging at the River Prairie branch of Northwestern Bank. Perhaps the most exciting photo for me, was the one I took of my friend’s adorable little boy, which was chosen this summer, as Best in Show at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair.

If you know me, I can usually be found parked along the roadside, capturing wildlife or flora, or beautiful sunsets and moon rises. I’ve even laid on my stomach to get just the right shot – in mud, rain, snow and all. It’s also important, because I’ve captured special moments of people to keep forever and some of those people are no longer here.

Yes, I love my camera with all my heart. If I run over to a business across the street, I always tell my co-workers to watch over my baby. If it comes down to you or the camera, choose the camera!

I knew that someday, I would have to face the fact that my camera would wear out. Poor thing, I’ve taken hundreds of thousands of photos and a camera can only last so long. However, I wasn’t prepared for when that day actually came.

It was a gorgeous fall day, and as is my custom, I had several things to cover. The pictures of the morning events turned out beautifully, but when I got to the afternoon event, disaster struck. A black slash was running across each and every picture.

I tried everything I could think of to fix it, even Googling potential solutions. Finally, I called my photography buddy and we put our heads together (more online searches). We discovered there is a spring that is loose(?) and flings itself out when the shutter is pressed, causing the black slash.

Fun fact: there are no camera repair shops in the area. With the Twin Cities the closest place, and a possible repair bill of $900 or more, I knew the time had come. I tearfully kissed my baby and put him into retirement, along with Loretta, who wore out a few years ago.

My heart is broken, yes, but I’m holding our good times together as close as I can and continuing on as best I can.

Of course, that bears the question, well, now what are you going to do for a camera? That, my friends, remains to be seen.

I did order one (twice, long story) and once it comes, we’ll see what happens. In the meantime, I’m borrowing my friend’s camera.

Although I’ll always miss Bernard (and Loretta), I have thousands of photos to look at to remind me of our adventures and even better, I have the people who tell me how they feel as though they’re right there, just by looking at my pictures. If I can make people smile through my photography and cry happy tears, my heart is pleased.

Once it finally gets here, I firmly believe my new camera will work out perfectly, but I guess you’ll have to stay tuned and see for yourself!