I officially started my photography business just 7 months ago. I am so excited and thankful for how it has grown in this short amount of time. I have learned a lot and continue to learn….that’s what makes the journey so exciting. A lot of people have asked me how I got started in all of this. I kind of just fell into it really. With a LOT of determination, and a lot of faith from family and friends- their encouragement has kept me going. They make me feel like a rock star when I feel the complete opposite! Sometimes I still can’t believe people actually pay me to do what I LOVE! I feel so lucky! It all started when Lauren, a teacher I work with asked me to take photographs of her daughter, Emily. You will see her photo at the end of the post. I was a little hesitant…I had never conducted a real “photoshoot” before. I had been taking a lot of pictures around school of the kids in my classes. I guess she saw something in me. After Emily’s session, I was hooked. I was in LOVE with the whole photo session gig. I love making people feel beautiful & capturing who that person is right at that moment in their life, documenting it forever. Emily’s mom was a big cheerleader of mine….she showed her pictures off (thank you for that Lauren!) Then to my shock and amazement, calls started coming in from people asking me to take thier children’s pictures! Really?!?! I thought….you actually want to pay me??? For a while I couldn’t accept money- I thought I was terrible! These people were letting me experement my photography skills on their children! How could I charge them?! Well, after being booked up for a few weeks I realized I needed a business plan. So I started charging…..and calls STILL came in – and now from people I had never met. Wow! I felt like a real business woman now! haha- little did I know then just how much work was ahead of me! (Anyone who has started their own business knows how much blood, sweat & tears goes into it!) But I was so exctited and immediately called my husband and my mamma when my first “stranger” booked an appointment. I am such a dork, I know. Somehow things took off from there and now I have a full fledged business. How great is that!? It has been one of the HARDEST and at the same time, most REWARDING things I have ever done. It has truly changed my life! I also am excited to say I have several weddings booked for the spring, and while I will always have a special place in my heart for child and family portraits (and I will always continue to do them) I hope to move towards more wedding photography. I am in love with LOVE.
Most of all, I feel blessed to be able to capture emotions. My ultimate goal when I am photographing someone is to catch that “in-between” moment. The moment where it is really you. Not posed. Not saying “cheeeeese! ” It’s that second where you didn’t think I took the picture….yep, that’s my favorite shot. I still have a lot to learn, but I want to thank all of my AA-MAA-ZING clients for believing in me. Trusting me. Letting me come into your lives and document special moments. I don’t think you realize how much it means to me. So, thank you :)
Here’s to a HAPPY NEW YEAR…and another year of capturing emotions. You all have made me happier than you will ever know!
Love, Meredith
And here is Emily from my very first photo shoot EVER! Isn’t she beautiful! Thanks again Lauren & Emily for seeing something in me and giving me that extra little push to get this business started. This photo session will always be special to me!
