Jim Babbage
I did not discover photography until my graduating year of High School – 40+ years ago - and it was entirely by accident. I had decided to go to journalism school; I liked to write, and Journalism (back then) seemed like a practical application of that interest. My dad gave me one of his 35mm cameras as a graduation gift, knowing I needed one for college.
Little did he (or I) know, he'd unlocked a passion that would define the next few decades. That summer, the camera became my constant companion. It wasn't just capturing moments; it was a way to share the world through my lens, a desire I never knew I possessed. The world, seen through the viewfinder of my trusty Praktica, became an adventure waiting to be framed.
For close to 30 years, photography was the heart of my professional and personal life. Now, while it's not the central focus of my current career, the flame never truly died. In fact, it's roared back to life as my main creative outlet. Passions have a way of doing that, you see – they creep back in, weaving themselves into the fabric of your life. I often shoot, edit and write a story in the form of a reflection piece or a tutorial to go with my photos. These final projects get posted to a variety of online sources, such as Flickr, Behance and my own web portfolio.
Lately, that love has taken a new turn. My photos are gracing the walls of strangers! I've started getting prints made and showcasing them at the rotating exhibit near our cottage on Rice Lake. It's a surreal feeling, knowing my work brings joy to someone else's space.
Beyond the joy of creation, photography is my therapy. 2020, anyone? It became even clearer then – a camera can be the ultimate stress eraser. A bad mood? A pounding headache? A lousy day in general? Grab the camera, head outside, and let the world refocus your lens. It's more than a passion; it's my creative sanctuary.
CONNECT WITH THE ARTIST
linktr.ee/jimbabbage • instagram.com/jimbabbage • behance.net/jimbabbage
