I have been captivated by cameras since I was little, but of all the memories I have of camera and my picture being taken, there is one picture that really stuck with me (and it is actually still in my car to this day!).

It all started with a hat. I remember hanging out at my parents house, and our neighbor (and awesome babysitter!) was visiting. She had this hat, and everyone was getting their picture in it. I have absolutely no idea why this hat was special or if she was taking photos as an assignment, but either way that image of us stuck with me. This image represents the first time I really remember being stunned by what a camera could capture. Everyone in my family (and I’m sure hers) has a picture of themselves in this hat, but I don’t think it effected anyone else as much as me. After they gave us prints of the images she took that day, I started asking for my own camera so I could take cool pictures too.

For me, it captured the innocence of a child and the happiness of a single moment. It might be a little cliche, but a picture is really worth a thousand words and can shape your future without you even realizing.