"... you should go do them."
This is one of the most inspirational quotes of my time. E.J. Lamprey hit the nail on the head with this one and managed to kick my hind end into gear in the process.
Looking back on your life, most of you can attest to the fact that finding yourself is one of the most challenging parts of growing up. From elementary school on we are consistently asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" A little later we get it from our family too. At that point it's on to "what are you doing with your life?" (Thanks Mom.)
I was always artistic. Even when my answers to those questions included lawyer, psychologist, and journalist; I knew down deep I was truly passionate about all things creative. Fast forward to adulthood.
The moment I picked up my first manual camera I fell in love. I immersed myself in learning everything about how to take a decent picture. I had no idea what I wanted to be able to do with it, I just knew I had to master being "ok" at this. I had a hunger. I jumped in head first... and boy did I drown.
My photos sucked! I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. My friends and family helped me practice a lot. They modeled for me, played dress up, gave me all they had in support and love. Some of them looked like Shrek. Green skin, overly color saturated. Others looked like they had a bad spray tan. Pumpkin colored skin... what?! I look back on those and cringe. But everyone loved their pictures. And that's exactly how I classify those; just "pictures."
I hit the books. I studied the exposure triangle and watched just about every editing tutorial on YouTube that I possibly could. I joined all sorts of Facebook photography groups and went to a TON of staged shootouts to practice and learn. Swearing up and down I would NEVER trust myself to shoot a wedding... until I did.
My first wedding was a second shooting job. I had met a fabulous photographer through one of those Facebook groups and asked if I could tag along just to try it out and see if I liked it. The romance of it; the speed of everything that was happening around me; the couple's story... just... wow.
I was enthralled! A few more test runs at second shooting and I agreed to solo photograph a friend's wedding. Eeak!!
You know that feeling you get when you wake up nerve-wrecked about to go to a job interview? I expected that feeling to hit me hard the day of the wedding. I didn't. I felt calm, relaxed, and ready. The only anxiety I had during the hours that led up to the wedding was about NOT having any anxiety about solo shooting my first wedding. It was bazaar to say the least.
Everything went smoothly. We laughed and played and got some absolutely beautiful images that day (I'll blog that wedding soon I PROMISE). From that moment on, I knew who I was. I was- I am- a wedding photographer. I am a friend of each bride I work with. A buddy of each groom. A confidant, a planner, a scheduler, a shoulder to cry on, a joke to laugh at, a person who will kick an entire wedding party out of a room so you can take a breath and FEEL like a bride, and most of all... I am a memory holder. I capture your wedding day in a way you can only imagine... until you see your images. You will smell your flowers again. Taste your cake. Feel your dad's kiss on your cheek. See your mother's teary eyes. You will relive your best moments. Forever.
I am a wedding photographer. Are you ready for me to be yours?