It’s 1998 and I’m mid way though my Associate of Applied Science degree in photography. I just failed an architectural assignment for the second time and found out that one of my favorite instructors might be leaving before I graduate. I’m sitting in a closet sized room developing black and white 4×5 film, and I’m just about to loose it. I’ve tried a lot of different career paths, from managing a shoe store to being a travel agent, before deciding to put a good deal of my remaining eggs in this basket. My basket is now called “Student Loan- Colorado Institute of Art.”
I have to admit, this college nearly broke me. I was commuting about 45 minutes to Denver, in classes most of the day, then waiting tables in the evening. When I wasn’t doing one of those things, I was shooting and re-shooting. I wouldn’t say I did it for any kind of passion for photography, but rather because, well, I STARTED it and so I was darn well going to FINISH it! I did finish, and yes, even passed that architectural assignment! I also picked up some awards from the college and the Art Directors Club of Denver, along with making the Dean’s List 6 times.
Fast forward to 2012. My husband and I recently relocated from Somerset to Essex, UK. It’s now the 3rd time I’ve had to start my business over. I’m actually getting pretty good at it now! I’ll admit, it has occurred to me, especially in this economy, to just throw in the towel and go back to selling shoes. But I won’t. And here’s why:
I mainly market my services to couples getting married. Wedding photography is a specialised field and one that requires a certain set of tools to do the job with success. Surprisingly, you might think I would now go in to a list of equipment, but I won’t. What you need, my friend, is PASSION. What you need is to love photographing people, talking to them and finding out what their dreams are. You need to realise that it’s not about the pose itself, it’s about what happens IN the pose that creates the story. It’s about being competent in the technical side so you don’t miss the MOMENTS. It’s about making images, not just taking them.
I’m a wedding photographer because I’m good at all these things. When my couples see their images, they are often brought to tears of joy. When they get their albums, their faces light up. When they leave their engagement session, they laugh all the way home. I know this because they tell me these things. I know it because I’ve seen it. And THAT’S where the passion comes in. It’s not so much the photography itself that lights my fire, it’s the results. It’s the way I am able to make people feel about themselves. Making people feel amazing, confident, happy and satisfied is extremely rewarding and fulfilling to me. I’m not rich in wealth, but I’m a millionaire in my passion to make other people happy through the vision I see through my lens.
I realise what a personal choice a wedding photographer is to a bride and groom. I had to make the same choice when I got married. (All my photography friends who would even consider documenting my day were IN my wedding.) I also understand that this is a momentous day, not only for the couple, but for the generations who will look at these memories decades down the road.
The following set of images is a good summary of why I do what I do. It’s a day, it’s a story, it’s memories for a lifetime. It’s all about emotion, love, honesty and passion.
Live, Love, Laugh. I’ll take care of the memories.
Thanks to “The Photography Business, SEO and Marketing Blog” for the inspiration to write this post.
