"I don't shoot what it looks like, I shoot what it feels like"

For far to long I have been toying with the idea of investing in photography

What exactly stopped me? DOUBT

Doubt that I am not good enough, doubts that my editing is not good enough, and doubts that people will like my work. I now know I have an amazing support system, my editing app has short classes I can take, I can reach out to other photographers and my doubt is just my anxiety talking. Another reason that stopped me is the demand for photography in my area is clearly low. There are so many professionals that take EXTREMELY beautiful pictures, that I thought my love for taking photos was not needed. The amount of people I know or see have a professional in mind that already captures their fall family sessions or fun senior photos.

So why am I doing this now?

The need in myself is more important than worrying about the demand and the doubt. I am a Wife and Mom first and a full-time jail receptionist second. The space in my brain where my creativeness stems from has been laying dormant for way to long. I feel like a part of me has been lost. I love all the hats I wear but something needs to be truly and solely mine. My camera is a tool for a part of my life I would like to add. The hard work that this is going to take is just a stepping stone to the possibilities, ideas, projects and so much more.

But if there is no demand, what is the point?

The point is, I want to offer all the regular sessions (except weddings... maybe someday) but also some unique ones. Narrowing down the ideas in my head is overwhelming but I want to pinpoint what IS in demand and take full advantage of it. I also want to be the person that offers people the moments to remember forever, that they weren't thinking they would want to cherish at the time.

One example goal is to take on family events; from brandings to family reunions to graduation parties. The hugs from Grandpa, Aunt Joan (yes she is a real person) sharing family documents she found with her siblings, the cousins standing around telling stories while eating cake... These moments mean something. And they should be captured.

*I am going to put in full disclosure, that I will not photoshop faces in, AKA "fix" a funny face that a child makes during a cousins photo. These moments are real and honestly I rather see the funny faces than the "perfect" photo.

So enjoy my photos...