Raeanne & Colin Save the Dates

Here's a sneak peek of my shoot from last night with my favorite couple. Oh, and did I mention their ADORABLE new puppy. Meet, Mater :)

This shoot was so important to me on so many different levels. Not only are Raeanne and Colin returning clients (check out our previous shoot here) but since then Rae has asked me to do her wedding. Yep. My first wedding. I was in absolute hysterics when she asked. It's so awesome to have so many amazing people support me and help me as I grow my photography business. And speaking of growing, this is the other reason this shoot was so important to me was it was the first shoot I shot entirely in manual mode.

This is HUGE for me.

I finally pushed myself out of my comfort zone and ventured into the manual mode wilderness.

This was the first big step in my photography career.

Teaching myself how to use my camera and most importantly understand it was vital to me and to my future in photography.

I still have a long way to go, the end product is still not close to where I'd like to see it, but it's getting there.

I have a lot of learning, experience, and classes I'm sure before I see a light at the end of the tunnel but for now, this is a HUGE accomplishment and I can't wait to see where it goes from here :)

Raeanne & Colin

My most recent engagement shoot was with a good friend of mine. Saying I was thrilled that she even asked me to take the pictures in the first place would be a VAST understatement. I was SO excited to do their shoot, my excitement probably matched hers. The pictures came out fantastic.

I'm beyond pleased with the results :) Care to take a look at my ADORABLE Raeanne and her future hubby Colin?

This is what I've done so far!

So what do you think?!

First Photo Shoot

So tonight is the night of my first official photo shoot and I am a cornucopia of mixed emotions. I am nervous, I'm excited, but I'm soo ready to see what I'm capable of.

It is for an adorable couple, Meagan and her fiancé Danny.

I'm doing it pro bono (I'd say free but I just love the way pro bono sounds hahah) because it is my first actual shoot with non friends/family and mama need some experience.

I've been talking with Meagan off and on and she's excited and nervous too, but I'm confident I can get her some really great pictures. And for free? Who can beat that!

What's funny is I've read a lot of different blogs and posts that tell you basically that it's sacrilege to do a free photo shoot, that regardless of experience you should be paid for your time. And for me that really just doesn't make sense.

It'd be different as a second or third shoot maybe but as a first? I just can't justify making someone pay for something in an area I have no experience. Their shoot IS my experience.

Children...babies? Sure.

Couples? Nope.

So we're going to a farm I used to take Bumpy to for walks in the summer.

It. Is. Beautiful.

There are fields and gorgeous trees, a pond, winding paths...we should have PLENTY to work with and it'll be great being familiar with the area.

It's funny being as nervous/excited as I am I don't understand how photographers do weddings. And as much as I would love to do weddings in the future once I'm far more experienced, I just don't know if I could. It's no wonder wedding photographers make the money they do... and here my friends, is why. I never truly realized it until I started doing my own photography.

First of all it's an all day affair so not only are you paying them to be there ALL day to take hundreds upon hundreds of pictures, but from there they need to go through each individual pictures to find the perfect shots and THEN edit.

But that is all obvious to me, I mean clearly you pay the photographer for their time and the product. But to ME this is why they are worth the money:

You do an engagement shoot, the pictures aren't what the client expects, you can do another shoot if you need to.

You do a newborn or family shoot and the pictures don't come out right, you do another shoot.

You do a senior portrait and your camera breaks, you do another shoot.

And while doing another shoot and/or not being prepared is not professional at least you HAVE that option.

A wedding is ONE day, ONE time only. You have one shot to get it right. There is no option for another shoot. And these people are expecting you to take the best possible pictures right then and there.

So oftentimes I've been seeing photographers have a second shooter.

And all professional photographers at the very least usually have backup cameras and lenses.

HA like I could afford that shit...maybe one day.

But for now, here is where I start. THIS is the day it all begins.

My FIRST engagement shoot.

Make sure you keep looking back to see how it all turns out!

Engagement Shoot

So pursuing this whole photography thing has been a bit of a challenge.

Am I giving up?

Oh hell no.

Not in a million-bajillion years.

Yep I said it. Bajillion.

SO have I mentioned I have my first engagement shoot set up?

Yep :) Beyond elated.

But I'm nervous. They're this wonderful, amazing, adorable couple and I REFUSE to let them down.

I explained to the bride-to-be that I am just starting out and trying to get off my feet.

I am doing it for her for free and gave her the link to my wondrous blog to get an idea of the little bits of photography I've done so far. You have to start somewhere right?

We spoke about locations, the look she was going for, if there were any poses she liked or wished to incorporate, and when she'd like to do the shoot.

And now that we have everything set up, I'm getting excited and nervous.

I think oftentimes I doubt myself too much.

So I thought to myself, well hey why not get some practice.

Anddd last night I asked my best friend and her boyfriend to do a practice shoot with me, her excited reaction totally took me by surprise.

I finally feel at ease knowing I can get in some practice with them and knowing them will certainly help make everything a bit more seamless. So we are off to Newport for their shoot which I've been dying to go to.

For some reason it's been SO long since I've been even though it can't be more than a half hour 40 minutes away from where I live.

And even though my bride is looking for a completely different setting I've been dying to do a beach/dock shoot to get some shots similar to these:

(Found these gorgeous shots on Pinterest, done by Jenna Christine Photography)

I have A LOT of ideas and I'm beyond excited.

So be sure to keep a look out for those pictures coming somewhat soon thanks to my wonderful best friend Jen!!!