Something New

I've decided to try something new and start a blog. By creating this blog I hope to share my photographic experiences and journey with everyone. So here I am typing away! Let's see how this goes!

It's been about a year now since I felt lead to take my love of photography to a "professional" level. Looking back over the past year I have learned so much but there is still so much more for me to learn. I have photographed special life moments for so many clients. I am humbled that they would trust ME to capture the memories they will hold on to for years to come. From family sessions, birthdays, a wedding, senior portraits, newborn/baby/kid sessions, church events and shoots just for fun... each and every one of my clients has been such a blessing. God has blessed me so much!

This year I also met and lost an amazing mentor. Tony Hood took me under his wing in January. He taught me so much and helped take my photography to the next level. I attended one of his classes at a local community college and loved it. When the class ended, I began taking lessons with him at French Broad Imaging. I was learning a lot. Unfortunately, Tony passed away unexpectedly in June. I only knew him for five months but I will remember him forever.

The most important thing that Tony taught me was to not fear failure in my photography. He taught me to be confident in my ability and to always try everything. If something doesn't work, take a step back, adjust and try it again! In our last conversation with each other before he passed, he told me he was impressed with the progress I had made in the short time he had known me. He encouraged me to continue pursuing my dream. He joked that I was like a baby bird, looking out over the side of the nest and that he was almost ready to let me jump out on my own. I am sad that Tony is gone. There are so many of my experiences I wish I could share with him and questions I've wanted to ask since he's been gone. I know that God has a plan for each of us, though, and Tony's time here was fulfilled. I have hope that I will see him again one day!

My journey has only begun and I am excited to see what God has in store for the future of my photography. I plan to continue learning new things and do all I can to become a master of my trade!