Why I Chose Photography | Colorado Wedding Photographer
My Photography Story | Or better yet, Why Photography Chose Me
Where the development all started
I didn’t just wake up one day thinking it would be a great idea to be a photographer. I would argue that I didn’t grow up around it either, but when I really think about it.. There was always a camera around in our family. For the last several years my Mom has been cleaning out her closets and I can honestly say, I don’t remember them being so big! Every time I go home to visit, she has another bag of old art projects from school and stacks of Kodak prints that literally documented the history of my existence. I always remember sighing when Mom yelled out “All right everyone, time for pictures!” at every significant event in our lives. Now that air coming out isn’t a sigh, but a breath of contentment and gratitude. From the emotions, celebrations, and those who are no longer with us. All the way to the small details like our old wallpaper, family cars, or knick knacks around the house that transports me back in time. It all comes full circle into why I value photography so much.
Being the youngest of six, I always had someone to look up to. All of my siblings had an A+ artistic talent in school. From my Brothers making my first bike out of mixed parts they found around town, with ape hangers and an old banana seat. To creating unique, fully enclosed push go-carts out of old scraped wood. Growing up in a small town in South Dakota, our creativity and imagination definitely kept us entertained.
I think mixing the value of memories captured with the creativity that surrounded me growing up.. That’s where this passion developed long before I even knew it.
What got me started on this professional path
It all started when a friend of mine challenged herself to take a picture on her phone, write something inspiring, and post on social media for 30 days. I figured I’d try it too. Everyday on my walk to work, I would take a photo of something, edit it on Snapseed (a phone editing app) and post it with my thoughts. I found myself looking forward to the whole process of finding something new to photograph and learning the different editing tools on the app. I would walk different routes, down alleys, etc. By the 30 day mark, I already was deep in my research on what entry-level DSLR camera I should by. I still remember how excited I was when the package showed up. Before even taking a photo, I watched a 30 minute YouTube video from a professional on how to set all the settings on this particular camera. Sure enough, this guy shot with manual settings. I remember driving down to the nearest park (it just snowed the night before).
I set my camera to manual mode, pointed it at the beautiful scene and took my first shot with anxious excitement. When I looked down at the screen LO AND BEHOLD…!! Nothing. It was blacked out. So I moved some dials and tried again and THIS TIME… same thing. Blank image. So, after a few more failures, I gave up and switched it on the auto setting and that was that. After more research and YouTube tutorials, I knew this investment was a waist, and I could probably get better photos with my phone if I didn’t learn how to properly use my camera to its ability. To make a long story short, this activated that fueled ambition of passion that was developed over my entire life. I rented Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and would stay up till 2–3am watching tutorial after tutorial on how to use my camera while learning different editing techniques. I started doing self-portraits project in my apartment every week. Stuff out of the norm like combining images with multiple Me’s in one photo and creating art work with my imagery. I quickly learned the basics tools of editing and much more. By this time I had friends on social media complimenting on my posts and images. Soon people started asking if I would take images for them and how much I would charge. Up to this point, I never imagined making money from my photography. It was truly a growing passion of mine that was no more than a hobby. After taking a few photos for some friends, my learning and passion started my journey on how this could become a reality to building a career that I truly love. Since then I have worked with other photographers, taken professional courses, and have continued to add to my endless library of knowledge from other professionals experiences.
The title for this image is - Committee In My Head.
“I started doing self-portraits project in my apartment every week. Stuff out of the norm like combining images with multiple Me’s in one photo and creating art work with my imagery. I quickly learned the basics tools of editing and much more.”
Smooth sailing or struggles along the way?
For the most part, it has been smooth. I kept my day job through this journey and slowly learned and advanced my craft into my own style, and continue to learn the business side of it all. This gave me the opportunity to take it all in at a reasonable pace. With financial stability, the growing pains didn’t land me in the ditch with a flat tire. The tricky part was being at the crossroads of “I know I can create great images for you.” to “How do I get my work and message out to the world to get the work I desire.” Also, I’ve found that self-care is the most important part of the puzzle. When I’m mentally and physically at my best, that is when I’m most confident, creative, and know I am going to keep walking through the goals I created for myself. When I get to busy to do the day-to-day things that keep me level at a consistent basis, I can be my worst critic. To get in the thought of false fears can be an easy way to self-sabotage.
What I specialize in and why I love it
I specialize in wedding photography. I also enjoy branding/headshots, couples, and families. I love catching candid life moments for people to look back at for a lifetime. If I’m in a situation where the light isn’t the best, I love the challenge of creating the right light with off-camera lighting to create beautiful images. Weddings are my favorite things to be apart of. From meeting the couple, going over their vision, and hearing their story. To the engagement session, wedding day, and delivery of the final images. It’s not just about the photography on that one day. It’s a long process of learning and being apart of the family. It’s funny because I had no desire to be a wedding photographer at all.
I remember the first time my friend asked me to be a second photographer for a wedding she was hired for. The butterflies were rambunctious that day, but I made it through. After second shooting a few more times, I realized this is the perfect scenario for what I love. As a candid eye, what better day can you ask for to showcase that. You have beautiful people, well dressed, epic backdrops, and a handful of other artistic creatives putting their touch on the whole day from florists, designers, hair/makeup artists, etc. And if that wasn’t enough, you have a flood of celebrating emotions and moments from joy, love, laughter, and tears. My candid radar is always on throughout the day, just waiting to witness and capture that next moment. I love it!
If I had to go back in time and start over, would I have done anything differently?
Not sure if I would do anything different. From all of my life experiences, all the learning and molding of who I am was mostly developed from the hard experiences and failures. The key for me is to practice, practice, practice. To remember that there’s not a finish line to this journey. Always more things to learn and room to grow.
If you have any questions on your specific day and timeline, I am an open book. Please feel free to message me anytime. And if you want to no more about my booking process or availability, I look forward to hearing from you.
