I am Lensmann Oz. Why Simply Start Over?

How do photographs relate to starting over? Trust me, I ask myself this question daily. When I am out taking pictures, I don’t even think about it. I just see something, reach for the camera, frame it up, and shoot. I guess it’s a ‘shoot first, think later’ kind of thing. Maybe not the best analogy, but you get the idea.

I am Lensmann Oz. My mother calls me Timothy Cameron, but professionally, I prefer ‘Oz’. No one will call me that, but maybe you will (nudge nudge). I would like to take some time to introduce myself, my mission, and my vision.

Through my lens, I capture the beauty and magic in everyday moments, helping others see the world from a fresh perspective. I have a knack for reframing life’s challenges. I try to find the good in the bad and share that vision with my audience. My mission is to inspire and empower individuals to embrace new beginnings through my images. By capturing the beauty in life’s transitions, I aim to help my audience reimagine their own personal visions and find strength in starting over. I believe in the power of new beginnings. My vision is to inspire and uplift through the art of photography and cinematic storytelling.

I have a background in the performing arts and in learning and development. I spent my teenage years on the local stage and in performing arts school. I didn’t pursue acting professionally. I spent the majority of my adult years as a learning and development facilitator and instructional designer. I have always had a passion for multimedia and a weak spot for the still image. Specifically, I have always had a fondness for film and film stills.

As a young man, when movie rental stores were all the rage, I would spend my free time going to the local Blockbuster and just look at the images on the cases. I have spent years watching films and studying how cinematographers frame their art. I have more interest in who wrote, shot and directed the film, than who starred in it. You are more likely to have a consistent experience with them, rather than rely on an actor.

The majority of the time, I am just out at the right time of day, and whatever catches my eye is like something from a movie. Of course, I need to take that raw image and edit it in Lightroom. No one is perfect. But the way it comes out is the way I would want to see it in a movie.

Why Simply Start Over? Like anyone else, I have faced many struggles in my life. My hero died from alcoholism, my children were born two months premature and we didn’t know if they would survive, my marriage ended, I lost my home, and I felt I had nothing. Reframe: On the other hand, I have two wonderful sons who pulled through and constantly remind me why I fight. I have an amazing grandson who is my world. I have a good career, still in learning and development. I am also focusing on developing my retirement plan, which is Lensmann Oz Photography. I could go on, but the main point is, I reframe my thoughts from the negative to the positive to keep moving forward.

Six years ago, I was very unhealthy. I weighed 297 lbs and had zero motivation. After my marriage ended, I bought a camera, started to write, and created characters that I may one day introduce you to. I came up with my motto to ‘Simply Start Over.’ Pretty catchy, right? I was going to motivate people to not be afraid to start over in life. In six years, it has seemed that I am consistently starting over because life throws that curveball and you never have time to hold a thought. After my grandson was born, I realized that this boy would help me to save my own life. I started to get healthy. I started to eat better and exercise. What a concept! I lost 130 lbs. I started to learn how to tap dance. I even got to perform on a stage again. One that was once a vaudevillian theatre, which has always been a dream of mine. I still struggle with my weight and my self-confidence. I hope that I can reach some like-minded people and help motivate you through my images and stories. Like Rocky, I keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!

Why the Wizard of Oz? Years ago, when I was a facilitator, I was one of the first people to facilitate a class virtually overseas. They were in a classroom and they projected my face onto the big projector screen. I asked them to refer to me as the all-powerful and all-knowing Wizard of Oz. I mean, I had to, right? But seriously, all of what I am doing relates back to Oz.

Here are a few points. I used AI to connect the dots. (Dot is a nickname for Dorothy, by the way):

• The Land of Oz: Oz is a magical place filled with wonder, much like how I capture the magic in everyday moments through photography.

• The Wizard of Oz: The Wizard is initially perceived as a powerful figure but is later revealed to be an ordinary man using illusions. The Wizard himself is a man who started over in Oz, creating a new identity and life for himself.

• Dorothy: Dorothy’s journey is one of self-discovery and transformation. Her adventure in Oz represents a fresh start and a new beginning.

• The Scarecrow: The Scarecrow believes he lacks a brain but proves to be quite intelligent.

• The Cowardly Lion: The Cowardly Lion believes he lacks courage but proves to be brave in many situations. His story is about overcoming fear and starting over with a new sense of self-worth and bravery.

• The Tin Man: The Tin Man thinks he lacks a heart but learns that he is capable of deep compassion and love. His journey is about starting over emotionally, recognizing that he has always had the qualities he thought he lacked.

In conclusion: I have started this path and learned many things along the way. The core will be around my images. I hope you enjoy them. If you are interested, please follow me as I continue on this golden path. I am calling it a 'path' or 'road'. I refuse to use the overused term 'journey'. I am not a Hobbit!

I hope to inspire you to not be afraid to simply start over anytime you need a fresh start.