My inspiration for starting a photography business, my beautiful niece Hannah | 2011
Dear past self,
I wish I could tell you all the things to ‘not do’ during the next 5 years of your photography adventure, but that would taint the journey, and the journey is where we grow.
I want to say things like, “Actions and plug-ins (example given: Portraiture) are not made to use at 100% opacity!”
But then you wouldn’t be forced to find YOUR OWN editing style…only through not being satisfied with the results from actions and presets are you going to get frustrated (and determined) enough to LEARN editing.
I want to say “don’t do those ‘Pinteresty’ shots that your clients bring to you!”
But only through trying to duplicate someone else’s work will you realize that’s NOT who you are, and eventually after about year 3 you will put all ‘cheat sheets’ aside and just FEEL your way through your sessions.
If I COULD tell myself one thing when I started out 5 years ago that I know now, it would be this…
YOU ARE NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER.
There are THOUSANDS of photographers, it is a BROAD term, anyone with knowledge of using a camera is a PHOTOGRAPHER…
No.
You are an artist.
Don’t let other people’s ideas of WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY IS mold you… be YOU. EXPERIENCE your sessions, PLAY with the kids, BE A PART of their normal routine in the home… then and only then, will you CREATE THE ART that is inside you.
I figured, if God gave us all our VERY OWN set of finger prints, there is something there to be said for individuality. It’s taken me a few years, but I’m starting to get the message. NO ONE can create art like you.
You are unique.
You are fearfully and wonderfully created.
That was intentional.
Now go, and intentionally be the beautiful artist that only you can be.
About the photographer:
I am in my 5th year as a ‘professional photographer’ (artist) and can’t imagine ever laying down my camera.
Working only with children 8 years and younger, I LOVE the raw and organic feel of lifestyle photography, and even though I style my outdoor and studio sessions, I still strive to capture the realness of life and the SOUL inside the child. I want my images to make the viewer FEEL something when they look at them, childhood is full of emotions, and I hope to someday capture them all!
I am a full time hairstylist of 20+ years, and do my photography part time, generally 1-2 days a week. I am happily married to my best friend of 15 years, and although we have no children, I passionately love the littles. They are humanity at it’s most perfect form.
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