Statement of Personal Philosophy Digital photography is a very popular hobby these days. Many men and women love to capture precious candid family moments from such events as birthdays, holidays, reunions etcetera. People young and old alike love to remember, share, and relive the moments of their family, friends, and experiences. These are all common reasons that people are drawn to digital photography. BUT WHY DO I PERSONALLY LOVE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY? I have pondered this question many times. Others have asked me this question often, as I do not fit the paradigm of a typical photographer. I am thirty years old, happily married for the better half of a decade, have no children (except for my dog, Sadie and guinea pig, Chloe’), and have been working consistently in demanding sales roles, many within technical disciplines. What then is it that draws me to pursue this hobby so passionately? What motivates me to spend countless hours creating photograph after photograph? I have come to believe that there are two main reasons. First, digital photography gives me a creative outlet. I have always been very good in sales, as I am extremely tenacious and adept in all aspects of marketing, prospecting, customer service, business development, creating sales plans, and designing related databases. Through my extensive experience, I have become much more advanced as a salesman, having developed a unique consultative approach. Although I truly do love sales and the business world, the day-to-day fray and the uncertain assurance from some employers due to the economy often leaves me craving something more… some way to express who I am, what I feel, what’s important to me. As 2001 began, my life and career took some unexpected turns. I found myself at a turning point in life that I never anticipated. I found myself going through an ordeal I never thought possible. Tough decisions had to be made. Many tears were shed. However, I knew without a doubt that the difficult times would not last forever. It was during this time that I had to come to terms with whom I truly am as a person – what drives me, what is truly important, what in life is worth pursuing? During this difficult time, photography has been very therapeutic. Photography has helped me to focus on the good in life. It has not simply helped me exhibit a “be positive” attitude in the midst of trouble. It is not simply that it helped me to forget about the bad things of life. The benefits run much deeper than that. Photography has helped me see the good in the difficult. It has given me a chance to think on those things that are noble, pure, lovely, and good. In short, photography has allowed me to reflect on how much I truly have to be grateful for – family, friends, health, the beauty of nature, and much more. For these reasons, I am truly grateful for the hobby in which I have become so passionately engrossed. -Harold Koffler August 2003