HOLY CRAP DAN!

I've been working out at Realife Photography since I was 15; Helping them with Dance and sports pictures on a Saturday here and there.  I also help them out during their busy times, usually 1 month in the spring and 1 in the Fall. I go into work after Dan gets home from work and stay out there late into the evening. I love working with the people out there, I love getting out of my house a few nights a week, I love seeing all the cool things they can do with digital photos, but most of all I absolutely love getting great deals on my kids and family pictures.

Last week I finished up my work with them for this spring season. When I got home from my last night Dan asked,"What are you going to do with all your money you earned?" I told him "pay you for all the baby sitting you've done for me this last month." I said,"Seriously, I want you to have it. Go spend it on something fun, something for yourself."  I loved being able to bring home a little extra money and tell him to spend it however he wanted to. He rarely does things for himself so I was excited to see how he would spend it.

The money sat on his home desk for over a week and then this morning when he left to work I noticed it was gone. He was finally going to buy something for himself! Wonder what it could be... Clothes? Vacation? Books? Down payment on a Motorcycle? 

Well, today Dan came home for lunch carrying a big box. I said Hey, what did you buy? He told me to open it. When I saw the purchase he had made, the only thing I could think to say was HOLY CRAP DAN!  I couldn't believe it! This purchase definitely wasn't for him. 

It was for me. He bought me this!

Cannon EOS 40D

(about a $1500 camera)

A camera that I've been wanting for a long time but would never have bought it for myself.

After smacking him a few times for not spending the money on himself I thanked him and told him how awesome it was. (He's always showing me up!  : ) I try to surprise him with a wade of cash and he does one better by being selfless and buying me something I've wanted for a really long time: ) He justified that it was his gift to himself by saying how important and precious pictures are to him and he loves that I do that for our family. 

Now he's gone back to work and I've pulled everything out of the box. So far I've learned how to attached the safety neck strap, attach the lens, power the camera on. And other really important stuff like that.

Actually I went out in the back yard and tried taking a few pictures with the automatic settings. It was so fun! You can really see the difference a nice camera makes. Now I just need to learn what all the other 150 switches, buttons, and settings can do. Then I'll really be set. 

I'm excited to learn. I can always visualize these great ideas of picture I want to take but have never had the tools to do it. Now, no more excuses. 

I need all my photo friends, who have this camera or one similar to comment and tell me one cool thing you love, or that I need to know about my new camera. Any advice is welcome; and needed.

Thanks for the awesome gift Dan!