Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
My phone buzzes on the bed, I lean over to check the number. Who the fuck would be calling me from London? I take a second to decide if I should answer or not. I'm not in the mood to deal with scam calls, but my curiosity gets the better of me and I reach for it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is that Marissa?” asks a male voice.
Suspicious I respond, my tone a little more clipped than I like, “Yes. Who is this?”
“Oh, great. Marissa, it’s Eric Walters from SnapShot studio in London.”
I sit straighter in my seat; this is the call that I’ve been waiting for.
“Oh, Hi Mr Walters. It’s good to hear from you.”
“Marissa, we’ve looked over your portfolio, and your work is outstanding. I was wondering why you wanted to move to a studio and events photography. Working for a local newspaper would surely open a lot more doors for you?”
“Mr Walters.”
“Please, call me Eric.”
“Eric, I never wanted to work for a newspaper. When I did photography at college my aim was always to be in the industry photographing people and events. I love nothing more than capturing people, in their natural setting, capturing images that people can cherish for the rest of their lives. When I did internships during my time at college, we were encouraged to try all aspects, to ensure that we chose the right section of our field. Photographing people came naturally to me, what someone sees as just a regular moment, I see as a chance to capture someone doing something that may seem ordinary to others, but to me it’s a small moment in their lives that should be remembered. I’m good at candid shots, really good. I know this. But I also found that I enjoyed the stage setting, those images that were captured in a studio that was set up for the day.
I like knowing I can produce an image that someone can look back on and feel something good about it.” I stop talking realising I’ve been going at it for several minutes.
I hear him chuckle. “Marissa, I love how passionate you are. My wife and I have a lot of events booked in, with more requests to fit us in. On top of that, we have also had a lot of requests for boudoir shoots. While this is something that we would love to offer people we just don’t have the ability to fit it in right now. We’ve had a lot of applicants, but your work stood out to us from the moment we saw it. It is clear from your portfolio that you have a natural ability. It’s because of this that we would love to offer you the permanent position at the studio.”
I jump up from my chair, it takes everything in me not to squeal with excitement. “Wow, really? Without an interview, test shoot or trial period?”
“Marissa, you come highly recommended, and your work speaks for itself, we know you’re the right fit.”
“Mr Walters, that would be amazing, thank you so much. My answer is yes.”
“Excellent. Now I understand from your application that your current role would require you to serve a month’s notice. So, we’d love it if you could start in six weeks' time. My wife will email you with further details. It’s good to have you on board. And please do call me Eric, and my wife Mary.”
“Absolutely, thank you,” I say my goodbyes and hang up.
Excitement bubbles away inside of me and I can’t contain it any longer. I squeal and dance about my bedroom.
This is what I’ve been dreaming of. I finally get to take the pictures I want, the pictures that I'm good at. And starting at this studio gives me the opportunity I need to eventually one day venture out on my own.
I throw myself onto my bed and grab my notebook and pen, I need to make a list of everything I need to do, I’m finally doing what I always wanted.
This move is going to be huge. Moving to London was something I dreamed of back in college, I can’t believe I finally get to make it and I get to do what I love while I'm there.