Combining passion and work

Those who have known me for awhile know that I have a passion for nature and photography, and over recent years, have been building up a photography website and tons of photos during my free time.  Applying the skills I’ve learnt in my VA business, I’ve been able to do a number of things such as setting up a website and blog, Facebook page, and spending time networking with other photographers as I work on improving my skills and abilities in that arena.

Two years ago I attended a 2 day photography workshop with three presenters, one a well-known nature photographer, another who runs a world photography tour company and the third, a lecturer at RMIT, who teaches PhotoShop, Lightroom and other tools for photography.  We were encouraged to keep in touch, if we wish, and of course I did!

I’d sent a number of emails to one of the presenters, in particular, seeking advice on different things relating to my photography and sale of photos. Usually I would email care of my ‘photographer’s email’ address but one time I forgot to change addresses and sent from my default VA address. A short time later I got a phone call from him, saying he’d been looking for a VA and he knows that I’m keen on photography and would I be interested?  I didn’t even need to hesitate. This was a natural for me. Providing VA support to someone who I admire and would love to emulate in the field of nature photography.  It’s been a delight providing services for him ever since.

I’d often thought I’d like to be a photographer’s VA and had joined various photography forums, not just to learn how to be a better photographer, but also in the hope that one or two, or more, may need a VA to support them.  You just never know where that opportunity might arise!

So, if you have a hobby, a passion, something else you’re pursuing on the side, then I encourage you to make sure you network and connect with people in that field, because, like me, you may find that one, or more, have the need for VA services and you’ll be well-placed to assist because you not only have the VA skills they need, you also have the passion for what it is they’re doing.

If you are also keen on nature photography, and are in Victoria, or can get here, I am hosting a Nature Photography Workshop in September with Steve Parish. If you would like to spend two whole days, getting both practical experience and head knowledge from one of the best in our country, I encourage you to check out the link and get your booking in.  Numbers are limited!