Back behind the viewfinder - What drew me back to photography? Robin Joy Photography - Fort Collins, Colorado Photographer

It all started when I was a kid.  I had a love of photography from a young age.  In middle school I was lucky enough to join the photography club that met after school.  We learned how to use a 35mm camera and how to process and develop our own film and photographs.  I absolutely fell in love with taking pictures.  I continued to take photography classes throughout high school where I developed my love of shallow depth of field.  While I was in college I couldn't afford to take any photography classes but I did buy a real nice camera upon graduation.  I continued to hone in my skills as a photographer until one unfortunate day when I was chasing waterfalls - I slipped and fell into the river.  I was devastated.  I couldn't afford one of the new fancy DSLR's that were just coming out at that time so I bought myself a little point and shoot digital.  I continued to take pictures, but it just wasn't the same.  
In November of 2013 I had the amazing opportunity to go to Australia and New Zealand, so I knew I had to upgrade to a "big girl camera" because I was not going to visit New Zealand with a little point and shoot camera.  My sister and niece and nephew live in Australia and although I purchased my camera for New Zealand I found myself shooting hundreds of pictures of my niece and nephew.  That was when I realized I loved documentary style candid pictures.  These photos of my niece were taken within a few weeks of my camera purchase and it just felt natural to capture the unposed moments.  My technical skills have grown since then, but my love for storytelling is as strong now as it was then.  

A few lovely shots from New Zealand as well.