I’ve recognized how lucky I am to have found my passion early in life, picking up a camera as a young teenager to still photographing today. I’ve been taking pictures before there was social media and the world of everything being digital…and I still LOVE what I do. But sometimes in between the hustle, the late night edits, social media, and the emails…you can forget the WHY behind it all.
I recently submitted a photo to an online photo contest. To my surprise, I actually won first place!! Eeek! I’ve actually never won anything before, and I’ve never submitted my photos to any contests or blogs. Knowing that others picked my photo from a group of other talented photographer’s work really make me feel good about myself. However; later on, I started to feel a little uneasy.
Uneasy about putting myself out there and submitted a photo to “win” a contest.
Uneasy and a little guilty of trying to get recognition from others.
Guilty of trying to boost my confidence.
I know. It’s strange. But does anyone else get this feeling sometimes?
Even though winning felt great and was such an honor, it made me think…wait…this is not why I do this. This is not the reason why I photograph people in love, capturing their special occasions, and freezing little moments of time between family and loved ones. I don’t do this work simply to “gain recognition”, get more “likes” and “comments” on social media, or gain attention from others.
I do this because I LOVE love. I cherish being able to document special moments in people’s lives.
For a bride, when she emails me saying they will cherish these photographs forever, and display them all over their home, to remind them how meaningful and memorable their special day was…..
For a family who doesn’t have many family photos done – and I see how a family comes together, excited with their huge smiles during our session….
For a couple during a couple’s session, witnessing true admiration and love between them, later saying they have never had professional photos done of the two of them and adore the outcome…
I do it for them.
I love the world of photography. But doing it for them, and being able tell their love stories through photographs, capturing their family memories to hang on their living room wall, and freezing special moments of time for someone is why I love what I do.
My husband and I are unfortunate to not have those intimate moments between us captured on our wedding day. Not having those personal little moments documented is a reason behind my motivation. A reason why I want to be the one to deliver those unique, raw, personal, and significant moments in my client’s lives. It makes my heart burst with happiness knowing I can do that for them.
I don’t do it for the attention or praise from others.
I don’t do it for the likes and comments on social media.
I don’t do it to win contests.
I do it for them. My friends, my clients.
