Happy New Year!
I don’t think that I can quite describe the butterflies I feel right now! I’m excited for what 2017 holds but man alive I’m nervous! I spent all of 2016 focusing on laying a foundation to my business and this year I am continuing to build on it. Later this month, I’ll be launching a whole new Senior Collection designed around Senior Girls…which is giving me more butterflies than anything!
At the beginning of 2016, and even into the summer, I was too intimidated to attend a styled shoot. I remember having the conversation with Katrina Amburgey at my first Tuesday’s Together and of course she, the queen of styled shoots, asked me, “why?” At that point I was so intimidated to be around other photographers. One sniff and they’d know I was an imposter. She, of course, encouraged me to attend one, and even after I walked away, called after me to talk more about them. We stood there for another 20 minutes and she let me pick her brain about styled shoots and wedding day procedures. Katrina, you may not remember, but I won’t ever forget our conversation. It was a huge confidence booster and the first time I started to feel a part of a community.
I think it’s fitting that my first post for 2017 is this styled shoot that I attended at the end of 2016. It’s a reminder to me where I’ve been, where I’ve come and that it can only get better from here. You can’t expect to pick up a camera and get it right the first time. It takes investing in time, education, community and yes, even gear. What was amazing was that I was surrounded by 15 other photographers and we all saw the shot differently. Everyone positioned the models differently, used different lenses and stood at different angles. The same couple, the same background yet the outcome was endless.
If you’re just starting out in photography or feeling a little discouraged, my one piece of advice to you would be to remember that you have a God given talent that is yours and no one else’s. You have your own set of eyes, your own set of ears. Your pictures will not look like theirs, they will look like yours.
VENDORS
Event Coordinator- Samantha Turman
http://instagram.com/sjphoto_
https://m.facebook.com/samanthajeanphotos/
Wedding dress- Ivory Row Bridal
http://instagram.com/ivoryrowbridal
https://www.facebook.com/ivoryrowbridal/
Table- Scottsdale Farm Tables
http://instagram.com/scottsdalefarmtable
https://www.facebook.com/scottsdalefarmtables/
Floral- Karen’s Kouture
http://www.facebook.com/karenskouture
Stationaries- Lolalee Invitations
http://instagram.com/lolaleeinvitations
Cake- Suzy B’z homemade goodies
https://www.facebook.com/SuzyBzGoodies/
http://instagram.com/suzybz_goodies
Hair- Carissa Mott
http://instagram.com/hair_motty
Makeup- Rosie Reed
https://www.facebook.com/rosiereedbeauty/
http://instagram.com/rosiereedbeauty
Jewelry- Geri’s Gems – A Chloe + Isabel Boutique
https://www.facebook.com/gerisgemscandi/
http://instagram.com/gerisgemscandi
Tux- Celebrity Tux & Tails
http://instagram.com/celebtuxntails