The First Picture I ever took was with a disposable camera in 1997.

I was in second grade and barely seven years old.

My mom and I had just finished an exhausting shift at the salon. Her shift of course was comprised of a full day styling, cutting, and coloring hair to provide for our one bedroom apartment.

Mine lasted at best 2-3 hours after school; periodically sweeping up trimmings between clients.

My mom wanted to reward our labors and wind down for sunset at her favorite place in the world: the beach. Within twenty minutes our toes were digging in the sand while the waves collapsed and retreated on the shore.

Reflections of light were spaced out on the ocean's surface, almost as though someone had skipped the sun across the water into the sky.

It was a simpler time. Looking out, the oil platforms sitting along the horizon were nothing more to me than pirate ships when I squinted my eyes.

My mom was carrying a disposable KODAK camera with a yellow sleeve, and I asked if I could take a picture. She explained the basic functions and handed it over. The dial rapidly clicked as I wound up the shot. I peered through the camera, lined up my frame, and pressed the shutter button.

After we developed the film, my mom submitted my picture to an art festival while we visited family on Catalina Island that year.

It won second place in the children's category. To this day it is still one of my most treasured accomplishments, and I keep it framed on my desk to remember where I started.