Virginia Beach portrait and lifestyle photographer specializing in comfortable portraits and candids
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If you’re thinking, “Part 2?” well, I wrote Part 1 a long time ago! SO if you need a refresher, go and read part one. To sum it all up though, I picked up a camera my freshman year of college. I got a job with a wedding photographer and I second shot without EVER seeing my images. I learned how to act at a wedding. I learned to respect the photojournalistic style at weddings. So what came next?
Toward the end of my time with Rob Garland Photographers, I had a few conversations with the associates. I wanted to know more. I felt like I was in a rut and didn’t know how to grow any more. But I was about to graduate so I decided to take a few photography classes. My first class was at NOVA. It was a “how to use your camera” class. I knew how to use my camera, but this class really gave me power. I suddenly had so much more confidence with my camera. I could flip to Manual mode and not feel scared! The second class I took was at JMU – black and white film photography. This class taught me to SLOW DOWN. My images weren’t anything to write home about, however, I loved how the class made me step out of my comfort zone and ask people if I could photograph them. It was really fun!
Somewhere in there, in 2009, I started a blog. It wasn’t anything great at all. And I made sure people knew I was growing. I named my blog, Open During Renovations. I’m still really proud of that first big step. I posted the images THUMBNAIL size, as you’ll see if you check it out, probably because I was scared how they would look if they were any larger. It was where I posted my first wedding. The wedding I did by myself. All on my own. I booked it, wrote up a contract, took money, rented more gear, and shot it. The first few weddings fell into my lap. I was still in school, but friends would talk and people knew I was interested and working for a wedding photographer. I think my first wedding I charged $700.
And this is the scary part of the blog post. Where I post images from my first “on my own” weddings and sessions. I look at these, and I’m proud. Scared to post, but proud that I have them. They represent this girl, who had NO business in the photo business. But she made the best of the knowledge she had, and pushed herself forward.
I love this. It’s so important for us to look back and see form where we first came. You should be proud of those first images. I may take a look back down memory lane and see how far I’ve come. It’s important to keep perspective when we are constantly comparing ourselves to other better and greater. xoxo
This is so brave of you and so wonderful! We all have our beginnings and it is so sweet to read your perspective on those moments of a budding business. I love your work to pieces and you too for that matter! xoxo You are an amazing photog. I love seeing all your new work but it is such a testament to those starting, to see that even the best have a beginning 🙂 much love, Ali!