Humble Beginnings {Hampton Roads Wedding and Portrait Photographer}

So I have been going back and fourth if I should really do a post like this or not.  I decided to go ahead and do this post for a couple of reasons.

 1). I know a couple of my friends that are interested in photography and I would like to encourage them.

2). Although I have found great support in this industry, there can also be some bullying.  I have seen a lot of it in just the couple of years I have been shooting.

So I just want to be an encouragement to those that are struggling and even second guessing themselves.

Now don’t get me wrong.  Being a photographer (A good one) is not easy.  (And I am not suggesting that we are even there yet).

 Just like any business, running a successful Photography Business is hard work and takes alot of dedication, hard work, and determination.  We are only in our 2nd year.  The statistics are stacked against us. 50% of small business fail within the first five years.  So to be a good photographer you have to work hard,  to be a successful business owner you have to defy the odds.

There have been days I have wanted to call it quits.  Times where I cannot see us doing this in the future.  This is just me being honest.

 I follow some great photographers out there such as Jasmine Star and Katelyn James.  (Katelyn is my favorite!) And I wonder….Will we ever reach that?

The thing that keeps us going is our clients, and we love what we do.

Just this year I have met some amazing couples that I adore.  We have made some awesome friends that we wouldn’t have met if we were not doing this.

I have had the opportunity to give back and serve those in need by using the talents that God has gifted me with.  (There is nothing more rewarding than that).

 I also have to continually remind myself that we are on our own path.  God has set out something unique and designed just for us.  We cannot live our lives comparing ourselves to everyone around us.

 I once heard a quote that said Don’t compare yourself to others, compare yourself to who you were yesterday.  And that is what this post is all about.

If you want something strong enough then you will work hard, study, and learn as much as you can to get it.  Just remember you are on your own journey.  Another quote I heard and I am probably going to butcher it is

Don’t compare someone else’s end to your beginning.  Everyone starts somewhere. 🙂

So here are some of our beginnings!

This was from a wedding for some of our friends.  This was a getting ready photo.  Direct sunlight, no dynamic, And was probably the best getting ready photo of the whole day.

Getting Ready photo from a more recent wedding

A picture of the Bride and Groom from the same wedding.  Bride is not in focus, I don’t think we even knew what a diffuser was.

It was probably shot in Auto which means the exposure was metered for the sky and not the couple.

From our recent shoot

Recent Wedding

Bridal Party picture from a wedding we shot last summer.  No composition.  Just looks like it was thrown together.

Bridal Party Picture from recent wedding.

This one makes me laugh….Can you find the ring?

Recent Ring Shot

And then for Seniors….Our first Senior Shoot.  Editing is horrible, Pose is unflattering…Just Embarrassing.

Our latest Guys Session

Well that is it for now….There was several more I could have shared but I think that is enough embarrassment for one day.  🙂

So rather if it’s photography, or something else….If you Love it…Stick with it and grow.  Compare yourself only to your past but be willing to learn from others.

You Can Do It!