Join me, Ronn Lezama, as I share my journey from being intimidated by photography in high school to becoming passionate about capturing moments, thanks to the support of friends and unexpected opportunities that helped me hone my skills.

Hi there! I’m Ronn Lezama, but you can call me Ronn. Welcome to my first blog post! Let me take you on a little journey that started back in high school and has led me to where I am today—a passionate photographer who loves capturing moments and telling stories through my lens.

A Rocky Start

I’ve always been a bit intimidated by photography. It all began at Freedom Academy High School where I was part of the photography team. My teacher at the time had a habit of complaining that my photos were out of focus. I never quite understood what she meant, but I vividly remember her frustration. Her constant critiques left me feeling a bit disheartened and intimidated by the world of photography.

Finding My Tribe

Fast forward ten years, and I found myself at New York City College of Technology, where I met some of the best friends anyone could ask for—Shawn, Khyriel, and Sain. These guys weren’t just friends; they were professional photographers who reignited my passion for photography. I remember buying my first camera in 2013 and starting to shoot earnestly. However, understanding concepts like f-stop, ISO, and shutter speed felt like trying to decipher an alien language.

Trial by Fire

Despite my initial struggles, Shawn took me under his wing. He told me that my photography education would be a trial by fire. I often accompanied him on shoots as his B-camera man and videographer. Just yesterday, Shawn reached out and asked me to take the lead on a shoot because he had another booking. He usually avoids double booking, but since this event had been postponed, he didn’t want to let the client down.

The Big Day

I live in East Orange, New Jersey, and the photoshoot was in Saint Albans, Queens. So, I took a one-and-a-half-hour train ride from New Jersey to Broadway Junction. Shawn arrived about 20 minutes after I did, giving me a bit of time to soak up some sun. We drove out to the site, and in classic Shawn fashion, he threw me out of the truck and peeled off to his next shoot. Suddenly, I was on my own.

The event was a 50th birthday celebration for a lovely woman who had hired a mobile hibachi grill to entertain a small gathering of friends and family. As luck would have it, one of the guests was Jazz, a girl I knew from undergrad. It’s crazy to think we were just 18 back then, and now we’re in our thirties. Time sure does fly!

Capturing Memories

I took almost 600 photos that day, documenting the celebration and capturing candid moments. The family had a military and police background, and my own experience with the Civil Air Patrol helped me understand the proper customs and courtesies. Unbeknownst to me, they gave Shawn rave reviews, which made me feel incredibly proud.

Their house was gorgeous—a dark blue almost black with grey and white accents. Since I just bought my house last year, I’ve been obsessed with home design, and I’m seriously considering borrowing some of their design ideas.

Reflections and Future Plans

I must admit, I’m a pretty good photographer. I need to remind myself of this more often. This summer, a friend from high school and I are planning some outings to practice and hone my skills further. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.

Well, that’s a wrap for my first blog post. House of the Dragon, Season 2 Episode 2 is about to start, and I’m absolutely hooked on this show. Thanks so much for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next post!

• Ronn Lezama
  The Prince of Spades

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