My Name is Ogalthorpe Montoya. You Killed My Father. Prepare to Die!

As I tell people about my transition from engineer to photographer I always try to make it clear that I am going to be a small business person who makes a living from photography. And that I'm not approaching the transition as someone who likes to take photos so I figured I'd try to make a living at it.

Identity has been a nagging subject for me to figure out. Part of the problem is that I feel a duplicity between the equal division between me and the Ogalthorpe persona. I've never really liked the idea of a "Jeremy Center Photography". It just doesn't ring true in my ears. It's something I've never felt comfortable with for reasons not completely clear. On the other hand, assuming a completely fictitious identity has also been uncomfortable. To some degree it feels phony or insincere and outside of my nature.

But I've decided to be brave.

Or foolish.

Depending on how you look at it.

Today I completed the necessary state and local forms and am now a full-fledged legal entity.

I am Jeremy Center, LLC.

dba Studio Ogalthorpe

dba Ogalthorpe

And I'm licensed through the state of Washington and the city of Seattle

Jeremy Center Photography no longer exists as a legal entity.

The gist of this "situation" is not that I feel more comfortable with Ogalthorpe, but that I feel a certain thrill and fear and exhilaration from taking the risk. Of stepping outside of my comfort zone and going with my gut.

It might be a completely stupid maneuver. After all everyone says that to be taken seriously you have to go by your real name. They say you have to do what everybody else does. I guess I can take that under advisement. But this is the way I'm going to go for now.

It might be the best thing I ever did.

Only time will tell.