IN THE BEGINNING
In 1999, I was finishing my undergrad at the University of Washington. As an elective
I decided to take a Photography class. I bought a used Canon AE-1 from a pawn shop.
In 2001, I had just gotten back from my first trip to New York City. I was at work, yes
Bartending, and I just happen to have the photos from the trip with me. A customer
of mine asked if he could take a look at the photos. I said sure and handed him the
envelope. A few minutes later he said, "Hey Paul. I like this picture, can I get a copy?"
I said sure. "What size?" He told me, and then he said, "Will you sign it?" Again, I said
sure. "How much will it cost?" he asked. I paused for a second, because all of this was
new to me, and I said, "Twenty bucks." He agreed. I ordered the image. It came. I signed
it, handed it over to the customer and he gave me the money.
Technically, at that moment in time, I was a professional Photographer and I still am today.
Since 2001, I have done exhibits in restaurants, coffee shops and galleries in Seattle, San Francisco
and Los Angeles. And thanks to the internet, I am now everywhere.
See what happens...
