Just a little over 15 years ago I came to this amazing country when I was 20. I came with 2 suitcases and $4000 in cash. My English was as good as Borat’s (I’m still learning) but I was determined to have my own life here completely on my own. It the beginning it was very hard for me, as I was used to the “mom does everything for me” treatment while living at home. I found out the hard way that you don’t mix whites with colored laundry. Once I enrolled at the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale things started to get better. After graduating in 1996 I was faced with the question, stay here or go back to Germany. I decided to stay. During the years that followed I worked as a waiter, tourist guide, photographer and assisted many respected shooters and I also worked myself up the “dotcom” ladder. I started doing animated banners and websites for a few years. Now at least I can do all my own blog and website design.
Shortly after I was let go from a struggling “dotcom” in 2003 I met Candace who told me “if you are not going to work for other companies then you should get back to your first love…photography. And you better make it work”. Now 5 years later I think I made it work very well.
Last year I decided it was best for me to apply for US Citizenship as I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. This past Saturday I took my oath along with 1500+ (mostly Cuban) people. It was a circus. Why not just simply send people the certificate of citizenship by mail? Why make them get up at 6:30am to go to an auditorium in Miami and sing patriotic songs (karaoke style) such as “God bless America” or “Welcome to America” by Niel Diamond and wave little US flags? I love this country and what it did for me and I am so blessed but what is up with all the patriotism? On paper I am US citizen but I will always be European, that is what will set me appart. Check out Candace’s view on that oath ceremony circus.
I want to thank Glenn and Anat (where ever you may be) for letting me sleep in your basement with your fat cat when I first arrived in the US and for helping me find my first apartment in New Jersey.
Big thank you to my immigration attorney Lisa Enfield (you sure made a bundle off of me) for all the visas. I think it’s safe to say that I had them all with extensions several times over.
I assisted many shooters, too many to list but one of them stood out and I think he changed something in me that made me work extra hard and look at things differently by humiliating me in front of clients and pushing me to do better. Architectural photography was never my thing but John Stillman’s personality and way of talking to clients is something I emulate today in my own business. He never paid me, he always told me “you don’t need money, I am teaching you stuff you will never learn in art school.”
Mr. Don Sheffield was the best instructor I had at the Art Institute. He made it clear that the photography to business ratio are 10:90. He is still there and I am honored each time he asks me to speak to one of his classes along with other leaders in the industry like fellow photographer Roy Llera.
Candace for believing in me and supporting me as much as she does. Candace IS Maloman Photographers, I just push buttons. Also for the all American apple pie to mark the occasion.
Finally my family for the support (and for paying my tuition, I promise I will pay it back one day) and for making this possible. I know my dad tried to bring us to Canada or USA several times when I was a kid but things did not work out. Today I am the first in my family to come to this country and the first to become a US citizen, so in a way my dad did succeed. It’s been a 15 year journey and I am looking forward to the future. I am just starting.
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