In Review - March 2022

Can you believe March has come and gone already? I’m still trying to process how we are a quarter of the way through 2022 already.

Maybe that’s because I just realized I already failed with one of my goals, and that is posting at least one new piece on the blog per month though… Regardless, 2022 is well underway now!

I wanted to take a second today to take a look back at the month of March because there’s been plenty going on, especially as far as Tyler Smiley Photography goes. So with that, let’s take a look back and see what’s gone on in March:

First, I passed the FAA Part 107 Exam! This means I am now a licensed drone pilot, and can fly for commercial purposes. In other words, I can offer drone services to real estate agents and also sell prints of any photos I take while flying. Since passing this exam, I’ve already done a few flights for my full-time job (I work at Coldwell Banker Resort Realty and as part of my position here do drone work for the rental department).

Flying my drone is always a little stressful, but checking the monitor and seeing the views of Delaware from the sky can be truly incredible. So far, my favorite drone photo I’ve taken since being licensed has to be this one of Dewey Beach - it is also one all of you seemed to like as well!

Next, I snapped some of my personal favorite photos that I’ve taken since starting up Tyler Smiley Photography. I’m learning that long exposure shots, though they require a lot of patience, can be worth all the headaches that come up during the creative process. Most of what I’ve been shooting recenlty have been these long exposure shots, which help blur motion and expose the image sensor in the camera to more light. Here are a few of the ones I shot this month that I really like:

Finally, and I don’t say this to sound salesy, but I sold a print! To me, selling a print is a huge accomplishment because I don’t do it often. To top it off, it was a print of another photo I am incredibly proud to have snapped (see below).

Selling prints is currently more of a side hustle and a source of extra spending money for me, but something I would love to do more of because it really validates the time and effort I’ve put in to honing my skills as a photographer.

Whenever I see a notification from my print shop on Darkroom that a print sold, I always end up with a big smile on my face because it means someone is taking a chance on me and my work. Already this year I’ve sold two prints, but my goal is to end the year with 12 - one for each month of the year. I’m behind right now, but with continued time and effort, I hope to reach and pass that goal.

Thank you all for stopping by to check out this post, and I hope you all have a great April!