A picture I took on my first day of my "a picture a day" - daffodils in Union Square, low contrast color setting
For Christmas, my family gave me cash and Amazon gift certificates so that I could put that money toward getting a new digital camera. My old one started to develop its quirks and had been put to goo use for many years. Because I know India will be filled with gorgeous photo opportunities, I wanted to make sure I had a camera that was up to the challenge.
After much research I settled on a Nikon S9100. It’s a bit more camera than I know how to use, but I got such a good deal that I went for it. Though I’ve read the manual, I’ve been reluctant to use anything but the auto mode. The multitude of options served as a great big hurdle and for some reason I was afraid to jump. Irrational, but truthful.
I was recanting this story to my friend, Amy, when she gave me one simple piece of advice. “Take one picture a day, every day. It’s small so you can carry with you everywhere. Take a picture without being concerned with how it turns out. Just choose a setting, snap, and see how it goes.” It’s one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard about photography. It’s also a wonderful guiding principle for life.
Take a big goal and break it down, day by day, frame by frame. Take it, watch, and learn. Practice is for its own sake.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
2 thoughts on “Leap: One Picture a Day”
❤ your blog girl! I may have to steal another quote from you today!
❤ your blog girl! I may have to steal another quote from you today!
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Thanks, Urs. My friend, Amy, is one wise woman. Just like someone else I know 🙂
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