Hello and welcome! I’m Martina Schneider and I like to call myself a serious hobbyist photographer. Serious... because I have the gear. Hobbyist... because I have a full time job and take pictures purely for enjoyment. Yes, I am a lucky girl! I was born and raised in Kitchener, Ontario (Canada) and still live here today. I love to travel with my camera and along these travels have captured memories that will last a lifetime.
For many years I traveled with a little point and shoot camera in my hand but felt that the images captured weren't true to the beauty I was seeing around me. So a few years ago I decided to upgrade and bought my first DSLR. After that purchase I realized I wanted formal training and completed Photography Level I and Level II at Conestoga College. Shortly thereafter I also joined the Grand River Imaging and Photographic Society (GRIPS), our local camera club. In my second year I felt comfortable enough to enter images I had shot into club competitions and have entered each year thereafter. I've been very pleased to have received the following awards:
2014/ 2015- Top Photographer Level I
2014/ 2015- Top Photographer Portrait Category
2015/ 2016- Top Photographer Level II
2016/ 2017- Joyce Brant Theme Award
Entering my images into competitions has thickened my skin as a photographer and I have gained a lot from the constructive feedback that is given. I've also learned so much from seeing other photographers' images. As a photographer I constantly strive to improve my skills and want to learn whatever I can to make my images stronger. I want my images to evoke an emotion or tell a story to everyone who sees them. To further this goal I have attended a variety of workshops held by professional photographers. I have learned so much from each professional and want to thank them for helping me along this journey.
By definition I'm still an amateur photographer. Every year the Kitchener Public Library holds an Amateur Photography Contest. I have submitted images for the past few years and was quite excited when I was awarded 1st place in the 'Best of Canada' Category for 2017. My image was also selected as the 'Best in Show' out of over 1000 entries! Two of my images were also selected and displayed in FLASH KW's photography event in January 2017 when they had an open call for photographers. It was a thrill to have been selected and to see my images projected alongside other local photographers. The World Wildlife Fund- Canada featured two of my images in their 2018 calendar after being one of the winners of their photography contest.
What will the future hold for this girl and her camera? I can't wait to find out!
Thanks for stopping by! Please come back soon as I update my galleries often.