If someone had told me 6 months ago that I would be transitioning to full-time with my photography business by September , I’d have laughed. Really laughed.
For the last two years, photography was more of a passion hobby than something that could actually earn me a living. It was always a hope that I’d get enough rapport and interest that I could eventually make this my full-time job; though I never really pictured it for real (ha ha). At least not in the immediate future.
For anyone that has known my story over the last several years, they will know that I have gone through a lot of different personal and career changes. I’ve traveled, moved, changed jobs. Most majorly, I made the difficult decision to leave Nursing school a couple years back when I realized it was not for me. After making that decision I felt a loss of purpose and sense of self- it was something I had held on to and pushed for since I was 16 and there was really nothing there to replace it.
After that, I was everything from a server at The Keg, to a home-care worker, to an office assistant. I did the occasional photoshoot while working, but never truly dedicated myself to this business. Partially from a lack of time to dedicate myself to it, and also due to my lack of hope that it could be anything more.
Fast forward to summer of 2020, and the hubbs and I’s life took another turn- this time back to Alberta. Once we moved back to Calgary, I decided to commit to photography for the summer and see what came out of it. What was the worst that could happen? Let’s just say, I had no idea what I was asking for.
This summer, I have met dozens of amazing couples, families and individuals; and have been shooting weddings, baptisms, engagements, anniversaries, maternity, and families and everything in between!
It has been incredible to capture such special moments for people. Hearing they are now headed to the print shop to blow up a photo for their living room wall is honestly my favourite part of this job!
For the past 10 weeks I have been working every single day- shooting, editing, coffee, emailing, writing contracts, coffee, scoping venues, repeat. It has been such a change from the normal Mon-Fri schedule where you can shut off once you get home. I have been working at all hours of the day and have not really put it down. I think this is something I will have to learn to balance eventually! It is hard though when it is something I really love to do.
Making this my full-time work has given me back a sense of self and helped ground me. Everything I could want in a job is in photography- meeting people, being outside, creativity, computers, social media networking, traveling! I am feeling beyond blessed and thankful to everyone who has found an interest in my art and hired me over the past couple of months.
Those moments I get to capture like when your little one is giggling, or your soulmate is giving you THAT look; THAT is what I live and breathe for at the end of the day. Those moments are why I do what I do.
Thanks for the read!