I'm currently in the small town of Grimsby, located in Southern Ontario. It's pretty quiet here, only 20,000 people.
I got into photography when I was around 11, just taking photos of places and people on long drives or trips, and it escalated to the point where I'm making it my career.
I have no proper schooling for it as of yet, but I'm planning on going to University for it in a year and a half.
I've been shooting freelance for about two years now, on weeknights or weekends, and I'd have to say my biggest (re-occurring) disappointment was a photography competition I entered this year and last year. I lost both times, the first year I came second place to the judge's daughter, and this year I was disqualified because I prepared my prints in a hurry and forgot to mat them. You learn to laugh it off, you can't dwell on failure, especially when you're involved in the arts.
I love to shoot portraits, only because it's such a blast to deal with the people. People get nervous when you sit them down with bright lights all around them, and it's always a fun challenge to break down that wall and get them to have a good time. Of course sometimes, you do some headshots for a model, and they really put up a barrier. They just want their photos, and nothing else. It's always a bummer to shoot with people like that, but it makes the people that have wonderful and vibrant personalities seem all that much better. You appreciate them even more.