My name is Adria Peaden and I currently live in the Panama City, FL area. The Gulf of Mexico offers a wonderful backdrop for my pictures and it is a blessing to get to photograph loving people in this place.
You might be surprised to learn that photography was not at all on my radar of "What I want to do when I grow up." In high school my father told me I could be a famous woman Mathematician. Sure I was great at math but who wants to do word problem's all day? The first two years in college were spent exploring everything but what my father thought I should do and my family heritage, Computer Science. I was a Chemist one semester, Bio-medical Engineer the next. Finally, I wound up in Computer Science. It was a fluke really, but I took a programming class and decided that it really was a natural talent to solve complex word problems.
As a senior, I became a teaching assistant and got to teach freshmen and sophomores' computer applications. One more step in my evolution, I liked teaching. After getting married, I was a house wife for two years and thought I was content but I had the itch to get moving into something. A master's was the next option. After two years, I got my Master's in Software Engineering.
Walking the stage to get my diploma was I am sure quite a sight. My daughter had been baking for eight months at that point and I looked like an old man with a pot belly in a big black robe. Graduation is not flattering for very pregnant women. Gillian was born and not 6 weeks later I started teaching at a Community College. Teaching is amazing and I love the flexibility and interaction with people. I don't think I could sit behind a desk all day coding. I love coding but, people are more interesting. But wait...one more twist in the road. With baby #2 on the way, I decided that a stay at home mommy was best for me. Now I await my little boy Trey and with more time at home I have plenty of time to devote to my growing photography business.
Photography was something I fell into because of my husband. He would always gloat to others about the pictures I took of Gillian. Me being the person I am thought Gillian was making the pictures good not me. Well, he prodded enough telling me that I had talent, believing him; I bought a nice DSLR camera. That was the spark I needed.
I started taking family portraits of friends and pictures at weddings for those who couldn't afford a photographer just so I could practice. Every night after Gillian goes to bed you can probably find me on the computer either editing pictures or researching how to get better. This is it. I have found my passion and finally I know I am in the right spot. My journey was long and winding but what a difference being in the right spot has made.
The couple wrote their own vows. Emotions were written all over their faces as they read them, especially the groom.
The best bride/groom kiss I have seen thus far. So sweet.
by adriapeaden
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