The driving force behind becoming a photographer
收電子信回覆提問，如何驅動自己成為一位攝影師？開始拍照時，壓根沒想過要成為攝影師，只覺好玩，為主婦整日家務操勞提神起勁，不為其他。現在介紹工作抬頭，大多稱自己為拍照的人。因此行為帶來微薄收入，便要稱師，有些難為情。不過萬事皆有開頭，那我從頭說。
起些年，為二〇〇八，開始拍照，隨身都帶相機，見人總嚷嚷自己喜歡拍，簡直敲鑼打鼓，不害臊的程度，諸人都知有位台灣女生真愛拍。過些年，電子信、臉書收訊息，邀我參加慕尼黑當地公關活動。喜滋滋前往，拍照分享至臉書，看來有模有樣，很有回事。
邀約逐漸增加，彷彿成為工作，然毫無分文進帳。便端想，一時可成趣，卻無法長久。若這份興趣能受到他人喜歡，可有機會為收入來源？再收到邀約，於是放膽開口話錢。文字讀來鎮定，螢幕後其實提心吊膽。是否不夠氣候，有無能力將趣事整成正事，對方會不會看穿底細；內心戲很是豐富。乾脆放手一搏，篤定即使不成，也無損失。
無料對方回覆肯定，甚至詳談細節。是日頂頭皮上陣，擔心失誤出紕漏，全程緊張無法放鬆。返家，馬上檢視影像，徹夜整理照片，於約定內交付完稿，還得甲方稱讚。那年為二〇一一。有一接二，於是成為一位拍照的人。
如何驅動自己？我想，是那份極為喜歡拍照的心讓我走上去，走出去，才進了來。
Receiving email replies asking about how I drive myself to become a photographer? I never even thought about becoming a photographer when I started taking photos; it was just for fun, a way to perk up from the daily grind of being a housewife, with no other intentions. Now, with job introductions, most refer to me as a photographer. Simply because photography brings in income, I'm expected to carry the title of "professional," which can be a bit embarrassing. But everything has a beginning, so let me start from the beginning.
It all began several years ago, in 2008, when I started taking photos. I always carried a camera with me and would enthusiastically tell people about my love for photography. It was almost shamelessly self-promoting; everyone knew there was a Taiwanese girl who adored photography. As the years passed, I began receiving invitations through email and Facebook to participate in PR events in Munich. Excitedly, I attended and shared my photos on Facebook, giving the impression that I was quite skilled and serious about it.
Invitations gradually increased, almost turning into a job, yet no money was coming in. I began to wonder if this interest could be turned into an income source if others liked it. With each new invitation, I dared to talk about money. Reading over my words seemed calm, but behind the screen, I was quite nervous. Was I good enough? Did I have the capability to turn this hobby into a profession, or would they see through me? The inner turmoil was intense. I decided to take a leap of faith, confident that even if I failed, I wouldn't lose much.
The recipient's reply was affirmative, even discussing details extensively. On the day of the event, I was nervous from start to finish, worrying about making mistakes or missing shots. When I got home, I immediately reviewed the images and spent the whole night editing them, delivering the finished images within the agreed-upon timeframe, and even earning praise from the client. That year was 2011. One thing led to another, and I became a person who takes photos regularly.
How did I drive myself? I believe it was the intense love for photography that propelled me forward, leading me into the field.