Welcome to Fun Fact Friday!

It’s Friday,

I been thinking for awhile to start posting more blogs but was unsure on what to do. I decided to dedicate a full segment to fun facts, product reviews or maybe teaching some photography. I enjoyed doing the bird facts it took a lot of time and research but if you read them and learn something new then it makes it all worth it. I get to learn as well which helps me understand there behavior and i’m helps me track down wildlife. First, I wanted to let you know that I will be updating the store there is some phone cases available at the moment but that may change I am still working on it. This week on fun fact Friday I will be giving you a couple facts about me so you can get to know the photographer behind this blogs. Anything from my name to my favorite sports teams get to know me better. With that being said I hope you enjoy this and if you want to see more definitely tune in Friday’s for more.

My name is Ismael De Jesus Garcia Gonzalez. It’s a pretty long name I know. Spanish parents have a habit of naming there kids really long names my parents were no different. I am from El Salvador a small country in Central America. I was diagnosed with MS in March of 2019. When I got diagnosed I remember very well that feeling of all my dreams crashing down. It’s definitely been a long journey but over the years I've learned how to adapt to every challenge that has been presented along the way. I am the the first child of 3 but my brother who was after me pass away 6 days before his first birthday. I came to the U.S when I was about 8. At least, I believe that’s how old I was I was very young and I can’t really remember how old I actually was. I been here for more then 20 years and consider this country my first home. One of my biggest dreams is to go back to El Salvador to capture and show you the beauty of my country. I did not start school right away when I came to this country it took me a year to start but funny enough I did not really learn much English in school I learn mostly from watching Spongebob growing up. I love sports but mostly follow American football and football or soccer like they call it here. My favorite American football team is the Seattle Seahawks and some of my favorite football teams to watch are Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borrusia Dortmund and DC United to name a few. I love the international teams as well El Salvador hasn’t really had a good enough team to compete in big tournaments. I am looking forward to the euro tournament this summer and also the copa America.

I started photography in the fall of 2021. If you saw a couple of blogs back I mention a YouTuber name Peter McKinnon having such a big part in inspiring me to pick up a camera and learning what it takes to make photos an art. Like I mentioned in that blog as well I struggled for a good year or so to even get any decent photos. It was when I started to invest in my equipment that I seen such a big improvement. I started my instagram page around the summer of 2023. If you go on there you will see just how good I thought I was back then. I did not delete those photos even now that I don’t believe those pictures are good I want to keep them up so you can see my progress. It’s in a way a documentation of my photography journey from the start until now. I open this website in October of last year as I wanted to get more serious about establishing a presence online and getting my name out there. I currently shoot on a canon m50 mark II. A cheap mirrorless camera that has a crop censor but does the job I need it to do for now. I am looking to upgrade it in the near future I started saving up hopefully by next year I can buy the camera I want. Once I do get it though my photos will definitely be next level. I want to be an all rounded photographer not just have one niche. Many photographers don’t recommend doing that as they say people won’t care but I want people to see my work and know that what ever they need from me I can get it done. The only thing I don’t like doing in photography is portraits and taking pictures of people in general mostly because I am not good at communicating and struggle posing people. That causes me not to have an artistic way of looking at the photos which I think results in bad photos. So with that being said what is my favorite genre of photography to shoot well I think that’s definitely bird photography. I love being out in nature and capturing this beautiful birds in there natural habitat. It has made me appreciate life more and has also improved my photography quite a bit. Since starting bird photography I have noticed a big improvement. Now photography has become this big thing in my life that I have so much passion for and its change my life in a big way it’s made me hopeful.

So who inspires me? I have had the privilege to learn from so many around me but I definitely owe so much to my 6th grade teacher. Sometimes you have someone that comes into your life and shows you unconditional support that’s what he has provided for me. My mom use to work 3 jobs growing up since my dad left us. She worked hard to keep food on the table and a roof over my head. I grew up alone struggling to get by I would go to school sometimes with ripped clothes or mess up shoes because my mom could only afford so much. It was around this time that I met my 6th grade teacher. He would see how I would struggle with school work and would tutor me as much as he could. He ask me how was life at home and would noticed my clothes. He got me in a program where I could go with my mom to get food donations and even got me new clothes that people had donated not sure if it was for the school but he definitely made it happen for sure. I remember him giving it to me after school when everyone had left so other kids wouldn’t see and make fun of me. He even paid so I could go on my end of the year field trip which was unforgettable. Even after I left school he continued to help. When I was diagnosed with MS he started a fundraiser to help me with medical expenses. He has always been there to help me in every way he can. There’s no way I could ever repay him for sure but the best I can do is tell him thank you. He is one of my biggest inspirations and I aspire to one day have the impact on someone life like he has with me. I have this idea to make a podcast with him and have every one meet him I even have the tittle all thought out and everything. I hope to one day make that happen I will definitely try to convinced him as I think it will be fun so you all will hear his stories and maybe we can make a difference in someone’s life together.

I hope you got a good idea of who I am. Next week I am hoping to continue but I have my infusion. The euros also start next week so I will be busy watching this game. I think either England or France will win it this year they have way too much depth in the team to not lift this trophy. I am thinking of doing a review on one of my favorite lenses next week and why you should think about getting it if you want to get into wildlife or bird photography. I will talk specs and give you my personal experience with this lens. Until then I hope you have enjoyed!