jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Hi fellow uglies (I like that much better than fellow hogs) so, being relatively new to being an ugly, I finally feel that I have the credentials to post a personal introduction, because I just landed my first PAYING client -OK, OK I know that one paying client doesn't make one a pro, but every journey starts with one first step, and YIPPEE, I'm on my way (I hope).

So, I was born and raised in a little town on the west coast of Norway, immigrated to the U.S. with my family while I was still elementary school age. Because Norway had been looted by Hitler's troops, anything of value was gone, and my parents had to buy $ on the black market, my mom carefully took out the padding in the shoulder pads and carefully replaced it with black market dollars.

I know what humble beginnings are all about, I know what it is to work hard, both as a family and individually, I know what it feels like to set a goal, and exceed it - the word 'good' doesn't even come close.

I have loved the visual arts since childhood, my first Kodak Brownie was an enchanting gift at age 7. And now I shoot a Nikon D800e, and am fortunate enough to be able to get what I want, when I want it. Life is good, I'm healthy, in love with an amaziingly kind, smart and beautiful woman, I have hobbies- trying to producing magnificent images, restoring old air cooled Porches, painting, drawing, reading and thinking about life and it's meaning.

I was a film guy for years and am simply amazed at thr new digital technologies. I'm old enough to not be easily intimidated and confident enough to speak my mind, and I'm pretty quick to cut through the bullshirt, and get to the real point.

I pay my way through life by my business activities, but my passion is shooting people, and I hope that one day, I can hang up my business spurs and provide top quality photographic and design services to my clients.

That's it for now, I know I got a little carried away by the length., humble apologies.

mtclicker Loc: Montana

welcome to uhh.

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

me, I lived here all my life, had it hard since I've been married. wife is disabled, had cancer (breast), diabetic, high blood pressure, copd. me thyroid removed on left side, diabetic, laser eye surgery (bleeding behind the eyes) lost some of my vision, arthritis starting, about $15,000 dollars in medical bills that need to be paid. I work for a lawn/landscape co. doesn't come close to help pay bills, just making it. Your right it doesn't make you a pro. but congrat on getting a paid job. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

FrumCA

Welcome jonsummer. Looking forward to seeing some of your work here on the UHH.

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Mickey, it sounds like you're plowing a pretty tough row - I thought I had more than my fair share of challenges, but, I'm glad I've got the ones I got, not yours.

It promises in "The Good Book" that it came to pass, rarely do I recall reading that it came to stay, so hopefully you'll see light at the end of the tunnel real soon.

The best to you and yours

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Hi FrumCA - maybe I'll make my first post of photos the output of my first 'paid for' shoot. I'm busy working on a new website,as well, so it seems that everything is taking longer than it should..

Lenf Loc: Strasburg,PA

Thanks for the bio, now that your a pro with one paying customer, don't spend it all so quickly. Just have fun!

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Yeah, I won't let it go to my head, I hope that it will pay for the paper and inkjet ink to pay for the printing, at least. But there's just something about someone, having seen some of my 'stuff' seeking me out and asking ME to do a 'for pay' shoot that is incredably validating, but not wealth making - and I think that, we as humans, need both.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Welcome to UHH and hope you'll post a shot or two from that first paying job. Best wishes for success!

1066 Loc: England

Congratulations Jon, make sure you get some cards printed to give to the purchaser with all your details on, that way they can simply pass on where the images came from. Regarding your past and immigration to the USA, do you not think those hard times helped make you more aware of what you have, and achieved since. My mum brought three of us up when my dad died, two weeks after my 12th birthday. We had very little money coming in, but what we did have was a loving, happy home. I remember one year some of my friends were going abroad with school and she couldn't afford it, I was upset, and so was she, she cried and I never, ever, forgot that moment. I vowed I'd never get upset about stuff I couldn't have / afford, and to never upset anyone, let alone my mum again.She died 8 years ago and was immensely proud of what we achieved, she was what we call over here, a grafter, which means, hard working. She'd work all hours cleaning in the morning and working in a local cafe in the afternoon, or dependant on our school holidays, vice versa so she could spend some time with us. She never once complained and always told us to simply enjoy life. Her general knowledge would astound me and I remember when I got married, she was on the day, and always was, a true lady. Anyway, best of luck with your shoot.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

A friend of ours is from Norway. His father was Capt. of a ship that was at sea when Hitler invaded and did not bring the ship back. My friend had to spend the war in hiding. He and his mother joined his father in the US after the war. - Dave

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

The war changed a lot of lives in Norway. My father was involved in the underground resistance movement, which was a small group trying to inflict as much grief on the enemy as possible, unfortunately for him, he got caught, but instead of getting shot, the Nazis decided to try to 'extract' information from him about who else was involved - as a result of that interrogation, he never again walked without using both a crutch and a cane, and I had a daily reminder of what man's inhumanity to man can do.

When the war was over and the Americans came and liberated Norway, understandably, he had become an angry and dangerous man. It wasn't until much later in life that he began to mello and he and I started to heve the kind of relationship that all sons want to have with their fathers.

He was truely amazing, I never remember him putting his needs and wants first, it was always his family that came first, always. Frankly, I had a much better father than I deserved, and I certainly knew where the line in the sand was drawn and I crossed it at my own peril.

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Hi 1066, I appreciate your comments about your experiences, I remember thinking, as a child, that I was the only one that had it 'tough', and, of course, that was far from true, as your comments explain, life wasn't 'a day at the beach' for you either. I saw the things my friends from school had given them by their parents, and if I wanted something, I had to earn it. I learned at an early age to work hard, be frugal, and take care of my stuff. Guess what, I still work hard, I'm still frugal, and I still take very good care of my stuff. And I can still easily remember a humble home full to overflowing with something my many friends didn't have, and that was an over-abundance of love of family, and like you, I wouldn't trade that memory for gold bars.

Thanks for reading my post and for your comments.

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

thanks.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Welcome to UHH