5/10/2017 2 Comments How I Started As A PhotographerFirst picture from 2010 and second picture 2016You don't just wake up one morning and say, hey, I want to be a photographer today. If you do that because you think its easy money you are dead wrong. You work way more hours than you would have to if you worked for someone else. Its not just taking a picture and fixing it in Photoshop or just fixing it in editing. It isn't that simple. A good photograph needs to be taken and then enhanced no an OK photograph and then fixed. You cant fix a bad photograph. You truly have to know what you are doing to be a photographer.
When I gave birth to my twin girls, I knew that I needed to find a job. Not just any job but one I enjoyed and one that I would stick with no matter what. A career, something I could make my own hours so that I didn't miss out on any of the important things with my children. I was willing to put in the work but I didn't want to work too much and still have time for my family. So after some debating and some failed attempt at business endeavors I took out my camera and took some pictures of my older two children. Children's pictures, was the heading I listed in a Facebook group online. They were not the best images, but hey I had to start somewhere right? I still have those pictures and love them dearly. Then I got my first message. So I took to the hardware store to purchase lighting. BIG MISTAKE. I hadn't done the initial research to see what I needed what, studio equipment I needed that is. I found out quickly I was not a studio photographer. Needless to say the poor mom was taken back and refused to pay me. I was so incredibly sad. I had set my self up for failure. So I stopped and I looked online for the right equipment to use for photographing in studio. I tried and tried to perfect the technique of indoor photography, and again I failed. So I decided that I was going to host an event for fall portraits. This time I poured my heart into it. I booked solid. I made a huge set up with hay-bales and pumpkins, flowers and scarecrows and fake leaves and it was beautiful. Now I just needed to be able to get the right pictures. Mind you I took these pictures in my backyard on my deck against my house. It was awful when I think back on it now. I hate looking at those pictures. They were awful. However my clients loved them. For $20 and 10 minutes of time shooting I made about $200 a day but I worked myself to death and had to replace all the money I had spent on supplies, so I walked away from that even only having made a $200 profit. I again was so mad at my self. Then I came to the realization, I made almost $1000 from that even over a 2 week period. I did so many of these sessions it was crazy! I couldn't believe I had finally accomplished something so great! I would continue to work at the freelance part of photography until I finally made it and booked my highest achievement to date. I would master the lighting part of photographing studio portraits and find new ways every time to add to what I have learned. I am still learning today and my work continues to get better and better. I have shared with you guys the images from my first session almost 8 years ago to my session this past fall. The difference amazes me and I couldn't be happier. I am truly blessed to be able to call my "job" my passion. Photography is not cut and dry. It takes blood sweat and tears to make it work. I work every single day to make my "job" a little better. I never stop learning how to make my self a better photographer. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 8 years and I wouldn't trade it for the world!
2 Comments
Robie Carnes
7/10/2018 04:14:08 am
Our family is renting a house on Keeler lake next week. We are looking for a photographer for the morning of July 16. Are you available?
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Candace Spinks
5/18/2019 09:53:56 am
Do you do engagement sessions? Getting information for my daughter. Please send price list and information if you do and example of your photography..thank you
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Dee F.With over 8 years of Photography experience, Dee treats every client as if they are family. She strives to make every client feel special during their session time together Archives
August 2017
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