Recently, people have been asking me when and how I got started with photography, and for advice as to how they can do the same. Truth is, I find it shocking that people have asked me. I am a newbie. In every sense of the word. I balance my full time day job, MBA school at night, and photography all at the same time. I have managed to get by because I absolutely and truly love each of these 3 things.
Just over a year ago, I had my very first paid session at the Cuneo Museum in Vernon Hills. I connected to Ira through Facebook – she was an old high school friend of mine and I found out she was engaged… Well, we got to talking and Ira and Mike were willing to give me a chance. To this day, I honestly don’t know the reason why! I had never shot any engagement portraits before, so I’m not sure what gave me the courage to say that I could do this, other than the fact that I loved photography and people. Nevertheless, they took a leap of faith in me, paid for the permit to shoot on the property, and were ready to work with me!
I was a ball of nervous energy the night before, trying to envision the types of poses we could try, praying that the lighting wouldn’t be too harsh, even googling “engagement photos” for ideas! I wonder sometimes how Justin puts up with me, because I am SURE I was asking him what he thought of this and that, and talking through any possible situations I might encounter. (Um, can you say, ANNOYING?) Anything that I could use to put my mind at ease. Well, the next day came, and I drove up to the property about an hour early to scope out the scene. I was a woman on a mission. I marched up and down that property, remembering the spots that I thought were the most colorful and had enough shade to make a flattering picture when the sun was out. I found 4 or 5 spots I wanted to try with them, and when they pulled up, I was ready.
As soon as we started, all the nervousness went away, and I just turned into a kid at a candy store, giddy with all the gorgeous scenery we had to work with, not to mention the unbelievable chemistry these two shared. I loved every moment of it.
So, here are my two cents, even though I am just a beginner. If you love what you do, I mean really love it, you will find yourself surrounded by the opportunities to succeed in it. Whatever you truly focus on is what you will succeed in. Sonia Choquette, a famous author and vibrational healer recently tweeted “What we think matters far less than what we love.” I couldn’t have said it any better than this.
And now, for the photos. Thank you Ira and Mike for believing in me!
