Confucius once said that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one
step.” Well, the journey of a thousand weddings begins with one photograph. We
asked a handful of wedding photographers to share an early photo that represents
their humble beginnings, and a current photo that represents where they are
today. Not surprisingly, many of the photographers turned us down.
Apparently, sharing your vintage photos is not cool.
Fortunately for you, many of them did respond and had some real winners to
share! That’s right — all of these now-successful photographers hacked into
their vintage works to pull out some real newbie gems — all for your edification
(and enjoyment)!
Not only did today’s featured photographers share an old photo and a new
photo, they took the time to offer some sage advice.
Leeann Marie
It’s been 7 years since my first wedding back on 08-08-08 and this request
actually forced me to crack open that ancient folder of images to see how
terrible my photography was. It took a couple years of using mediocre equipment,
bad photoshop actions, and lack of training to be able to perfect my shooting
and editing style. Lately I feel I’m at the top of my game and my ability to
create the most amazing images and loving every image I produce.
Kaitlin Hebert
“This is where I first started, nearly 5 years ago….shooting with a T2i and a
18-55 kits lens. I edited with iPhoto and painted on porcelain skin with a
program called portraiture! OY!”
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“Taken at a wedding of mine this past May. This wedding was my first EVER
Style Me Pretty feature and I couldn’t be more excited and proud! This was taken
with my Canon 5D Mark III and my 85 f/1.2 L series lens.”
I was told by some to “stop, just quit now….some people were not cut out for
this…able to do this….” I had a friend that let me tag along with her to shoots
and let me practice. For that act of kindness and friendship and support I will
be forever grateful.
But the next few years I was left to face the journey alone. Alone to figure
out everything from how to work my camera, how to make a profit, how to attract
clients and how to run a business. NONE of it was easy. None of it was cheap. I
was pulling 14-16 hour work days behind the computer youtubing every question I
could, stalking the blog of photographers I admired. In the off time I would
practice with my camera and take any and every class that could help me on this
journey.
After years of building myself, my confidence, my portfolio….I am now a full
time international wedding photographer based here in Cape May NJ. I went from
4.32 cents in my account, asking my family for money to buy just the bare
necessities to a 6 figure business. In that time I also got married and had two
perfect little boys.
You have to want it and want it more than anything. You have to work as hard
as everyone else, then work harder. You have to learn early on that comparison
will kill you, copying will kill you, and thinking you have nothing left to
learn will kill you. Help others on their journey while you are on yours. Always
remain humble. And ask ALL the questions you have….because at one point, the
people that have the answers now, didn’t always have them…they too had to
ask.
Sarah and Rachel
“The father of the bride loves his daughter very much. Or he is a vampire.
(Maybe both?)”
“That’s more like it!”
Sarah and I started the business during our final year of college by
combining the equipment we had (to avoid loans!) and set out on this new
adventure we called LinneaLiz Photography. We clearly had a lot to learn! We
started with the basics — a Nikon D80, D300, a 50mm 1.8, 24-70 and a 70-200… and
we shot JPG! (What were we thinking??) The two of us were constantly learning
and improving, pushing each other in areas we were weak. Sarah is much more
technical and had a drive to understand why her equipment worked the way it did.
Although I definitely care about the technical aspect, I gravitated towards the
design aspect of photography. Where our couple’s are positioned and how they
interact, if their hands look awkward, do they feel comfortable, etc. Sarah is a
big picture person, and I notice details. We both have strengths and weaknesses
that have helped us learn and grow from one another. Our work got better with
each season, and 8 years later, we’re still learning and improving! We recently
launched our new brand, Sarah and Rachel, and couldn’t be more excited about
where the future will take us.
Artistic growth does not happen overnight. Technicals skills are developed
over thousands and thousands of shutter-snaps. The subtle nuances of
professionalism and creativity come with experience, and experience comes with
doing the thing you don’t know how to do until you know how to do it!
These photographers started by picking up a camera and taking photos that, in
five or ten years, they would not necessarily be proud of. But they’re proud of
the progress they have made, the careers they have build, and the countless
clients they have captured. Where are you on the path?
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