San Dimas’ very own photography teacher, Mr. Waage, isn’t just a teacher; he has a life like us, though we don’t know what it was. Before he had started his current teaching job, he used to do photography for many big events, such as celebrity weddings and birthdays which would allow him to travel the States. This took place roughly ten or more years ago because he wanted to spend more time with his children.
Turns out that teaching was not Waage’s first choice for his career. He used to be a professional photographer and videographer, he would work for anything ranging from weddings to birthday parties to just social events. Waage stated, “It was really fun, so it was mostly weddings, you know, and so, I got to do fancy weddings, and I tended to charge more.” Though, with that and working from LA, he had met and worked for some incredible people.
Most of the time, the typical events were not for big celebrities. When he did work those events, he had the opportunity to work at a “birthday party, it was actually in Beverly Hills.” That party has allowed for Waage to meet former president Bill Clinton, Katie McPhee who was a judge on American Idol, got to video up Stevie Wonder.
Waage even was able to work for Tibo from the Black Eyed Peas as a photographer at his wedding. With that, he was able to get a front-row seat to a Black Eyed Peas concert! Although mingling and photographing celebrities was not the lifestyle Waage wanted to uphold as he started to consider starting a family with his wife.
Mr. Waage decided he wanted a calmer job as his first child was starting school in an effort to spend more time with them. His photography career had him away from his family often to photograph events all over the country, the farthest being Florida.
This led Waage to his new job endeavor as a Photography Teacher. Now, Mr. Waage runs the Yearbook Program, a well as the Video program here at SDHS and is loved by many.
When speaking with him, he seemed to be very happy about this job falling into his life, he is still able to do what he loves, but has a routine and a constant job. Waage wanted to let everyone know that “the most important thing to take away with them when they finish high school is the ability to stick with it and keep trying until you get good at it. Don’t give up, you can do it.”
