When I sold my first stock photos royalty free, I felt like I was on top of the world. I could not believe that I had actually made money for doing something so natural, like taking pictures on my vacation in the mountains.

I have always enjoyed taking pictures and, as I have a friend who deals with stock photography, I thought I may as well submit my pictures to her to see what she thought and whether she could give me some pointers as to how I could better them.

Shortly after that, I was the proud owner of a stock photo. I sold very quickly and I was ecstatic. I have sold many since then, but nothing can compare to the feeling of that very first sale. I am in no way, a professional photographer, but I am lucky enough to get some really good shots sometimes. Not bad for a start.

Usually, when I go to the local art gallery, I am greeted with the same pieces of art that are there all the time.  Sure, I do like them, but sometimes, it can get rather boring.

I was not expecting a new exhibit to be there today when I went to the art gallery, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It turned out that they did have a new exhibit about the life and works of the graffiti artist Bansky from London.

Not only was the work unique, but it was the work of a master.  The Banksy unsigned art that they had on display was some of the most amazing pieces that I have seen from modern artists.

They even had one piece on sale, but honestly it was a little (okay a lot) out of my budget.  But I will have to put it on my list of art to buy in the future - I just love his work.

I have been saddened lately by the condition of my photographs.  You see, I have some pictures of when I was a child, and I have pictures of when my parents were children.  I take them out from time to time to look at them and reminisce.

But, when I took them out a couple of days ago, some of the older pictures are starting to yellow.  Right there, in that moment I was saddened that the pictures were not going to last as long as I had hoped.  I knew I needed to do something sooner as opposed to later, as each day was taking its’ tool on the photographs.

I rushed down to the local photo store to see if they had any suggestions for me.  What I was told over the course of the next ten minutes is that I should put my photos onto canvas.

Isn’t that what artists paint on?

You bet.  But the compelling reason was that your photograph would last nearly forever and wouldn’t degrade in the same fashion as photo paper.

That was enough for me.  I have a batch there at the moment, and I am interested to see the final result.  But, if it does what they say it will do, this will definitely be the best decision I have made in a long time.