A year ago today, I had never shot a wedding before, not assisting, or second shooting, or anyyyyyything. I'd dreamt about it, read about it, talked to other wedding photographers about it, even booked two weddings for the next year (2010). I knew I wanted to start shooting weddings, and since I'm an all or nothing kind of person I did the obvious thing and set a goal of shooting 30 weddings this year total: second shooting and the weddings I personally booked. Just 30...No big deal really. I also wanted to see my Facebook Fan page grow from just under 400 fans to 1000 by the end of the year. And then prayed that God would send the business and worked my rear off to do whatever I could to make it happen.
So here I am a year later, with 911 "fans" and 24 weddings under my belt.
TWENTY-FOUR.
When I set that goal of 30 weddings this year, I knew I'd be lucky if I shot even half that much. And can't believe that I've been able to shoot as much as I have. I'm grateful for all my darling couples that booked me, even though I was just starting out and flying by the seat of my pants half the time. I'm grateful for friends who referred all their friends to me, and for the way they all have cheered me on every step of the way. I'm super grateful to all the photographers who've let me second shoot for them to gain experience and who've been patient to teach me so many important things. And I'm grateful to Jesus for turning something that I dearly loved into my full time job, so that I hardly ever feel like I'm actually working, but instead feel like I accidentally got double portions of ice-cream somehow ;)
I always enjoy seeing some "behind the scene" pictures of photographers, so in celebration of all the amazingness of this year, I thought I'd share a few I was able to round up from all my shooting this year. Thanks to Tim and Evy Porter, Josh Thomas, Laura Parker, and Rachel Leigh for capturing these! I tried to get a picture with all of my brides this year, but it just didn't happen, but I'm grateful for the few I do have, they are all just darlings!
My very very first bride - Elizabeth Smith
My Evy friend second shot half my weddings with me this year, we made quite the dynamic duo ;)
My Sarah Berry bride. Whose Horses I'm going to visit very soon. I mean, and her...of course ;)
Tara wins the prize for the bride who was furthest away from me, I officially got to add New Jersey to my list of states I've been to after her wedding.
My first catholic wedding...um, it was really long. And really really pretty.
Couples in love are really my favorite things. Along with ice-cream. And Nutella. And big trucks. But really I think couples in love are my most favorite out of that list. And that's saying alot ;)
Yay! It's been such a joy looking at your work this year and I'm extremely excited to see how this year goes for you!! God has blessed you abundantly :). P.S. It's fun seeing my two pictures at the bottom of this post :D :D.
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute when you shoot. I've seen some photo's of me this past summer while shooting... disgusting! I was a complete mess. So excited for the places that God has taken you and will continue to take you in the future!
ReplyDeleteLove it Jessica! And just so ya know, you are definitely an inspiration to me in the photography business. :) Keep it up, friend!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on shooting 24 weddings!! The Lord has certainly blessed you with a gift of photography! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteJoyfully in Jesus,
Elizabeth
So many good memories connected with those pictures :) Keep up the beautiful work my friend.
ReplyDeleteMiss Jessica the Lord has truly gifted you with a great eye. Your pictures are beautiful and amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful Jessica! I love your hair.
ReplyDelete~Hannah Rebekah