Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision, and change. -Richard Branson
Just yesterday I was chatting with a photographer friend, and she asked if I feel like I’ve found my groove. The easy answer that bubbled up was “yes”. When I look back at my work from this time just last year, I feel I’ve grown leaps and bounds. My galleries are more consistent, sessions run more smoothly, and I’ve been able to hone in on the types of photography I enjoy. But when I really look at where I am now and where I want to go, I’m not even close. Keeping with my love of analogies: The foundation is built, the walls are up and roof is on. But I’ve changed the paint color a few times, the windows chosen were the wrong size, and what was I thinking planting that tree there?!
Most nights, those precious few hours after the girls are in bed are spent taking in everything I can to grow. Everything from posing and editing to business and marketing. And while much of this is good, general knowledge, I have a much clearer vision in my head of where I want my brand to go. What I want my photos to reflect. The kind of emotion I want people to feel when they look at what my clients and I create. It’s taken a lot of trial and error, and a lot of reflection, but I’m getting there.
Photograph by Natasha Ince
Two branches of my photography I’ve wanted to expand on are my family and maternity shoots. In my head I knew what I wanted them to look like, but I couldn’t get there on my own. So I’ve signed on for several workshops from some of the best photographers in the world to help me reach my goals. The maternity workshop I’ll be attending is with Natasha Ince of Photography by Natasha Ince (her work above). She specializes in newborns and maternity and has won a gaggle of awards. In 2018, Natasha was named Maternity Photographer of the Year by the Guild of Photographers in the United Kingdom. Her work is elegant and timeless, and I’m so excited to learn from her in just a few weeks. My family workshop will help me in capturing those perfectly imperfect, candid moments that make your family what it is right now. I’ll also be adding a styling guide for families, so no more worrying about what to wear.
In a way, I feel like you all are trekking alongside me as I delve further and further into the forest, cutting out our own path. And while you’ll start to notice some slight differences here and there, it will still be baby steps. But in five years’ time, I can’t wait for us to look back and say, “Look how far we’ve come!”
