Yep, that's me.
Last October, when I decided to try my hand at wedding photography, my reasoning behind it was "why not, I absolutely love weddings, and I love photography, why not do both?". So I posted my first ad on Craigslist. I chose to do the first 3 weddings to book, would be for free. EVERYONE thought I was crazy. Everyone thought I should at least charge a few hundred, but that literally made no sense to me. The only wedding I had ever shot, was my sister's, and it was very informal and unconventional, nothing like your everyday wedding.
So I did the first wedding, a 10 hour day as the second shooter to an obnoxious and very unpersonable professional wedding photographer. I was exhausted. I had taken well over 1000 pictures. The very next day, a Sunday, I shot my second wedding. This one was more laid back than the first, but I was in the lead. I loved it. However, it was just too much. Too much editing, too many pictures, too many things I should have done, too many things I didn't speak up to, it just wasn't my time.
In December, my uncle proposed to his girlfriend (love her) and I was asked to shoot their wedding. I had initially said yes, but was really re-thinking that answer in the following days. I felt like I didn't have the confidence, knowledge, experience, or gumption to shoot a full blown 200 person, traditional, practical, 12+ person wedding party, wedding. However, I did WANT it. In the back of my mind and/or heart, I wanted it. Something or someone was telling me it was my time. That I would be ready.
That was in December. Since then, I completed a Professional Photography course (see last post) that I had assumed I would never finish. That in itself, was HUGE. Completing this course, this online course that I had to teach MYSELF, was such boost that I needed. I took a 6+ month "break" during the beginning of the course because I could not comprehend for the life of me, one of my assignments. When I re-read that assignment months later, something clicked. I blew through that course and launch a new found confidence that I needed.
Since then, I've booked 4 weddings!!! I have one this weekend, another informal, but a PAID, wedding! :)
I have no fear.
None.
I'm so excited! I know I can take great pictures. I know my style is different. I know that my editing skills have done a complete 180 in the last 18 months. I know I can produce some fantastic images to a bride, groom, and their family and friends.
That is what keeps the fear away. That is what keeps the desire in my heart.
It is now my time.
Have I mentioned how blessed I am? Cause I am :)
