Fired At Forty

Fired at Forty

Being a photographer in this day and age, is not the easiest of professions. The ever changing deluge of technology has kept me on the fast track of learning. Instead of pacer car at the Indy 500, it often feels like lift off at Cape Canaveral. I dearly adore my work and embrace any challenge.

This year I had the good fortune of shooting people and places and events that one could only dream of. In doing so, I found myself in situations and experiences I have not encountered in my younger years and I have to laugh that this old dog is not only learning new tricks but is very capable.

Today marks the day that I was fired from one of my shoots! Yes, I said it, I was fired at 40! In the current economy one may find themselves feeling the need to take on jobs that aren’t necessarily their forte. It’s hard to turn down money and any work. In retrospect, the job was not a fit for me and obviously not for the client either! My work is extremely personal and although a blow to be “taken off” a project there are certain jobs that just can’t feed a soul like others. Sometimes, projects can feed your soul and then rob you blind~but I will save that for another day. There is a liberation found when we hone in on our strengths and realize that people do like who you are and what you do.

At forty, I think I have finally figured out that square pegs do not fit in round holes, and even if by some miracle they do, it’s not always divine intervention! I am currently, working on a set of greeting cards and one of my “jillism’s” states….. “It finally dawned on her, silly girl! Don’t look toward the sea for your dreams to come in. Your dreams never fit on a boat anyway. And with that she gazed Heavenward.”

My name is Jill Solomon. This is what I do, and it is enough.