One transformational year in the books!
I wanted to take a moment and reflect on this past year. And I wanted to share my reflections with you! I also thought it would be fun to share some photos I took of the process along the way!
Should I stay or should I go?
Last year in June I was at a crossroads. I had started my career in photography in Madison and then we relocated to Green Bay about four years ago where I had to start building a new clientele. I was finding myself being restricted with on location only and also really struggling with this idea that in order for my career to be successful I had to shoot weddings. I had just had my third and final baby and the last thing I wanted to do was spend every weekend away from my family. Weddings also come with a lot of time & pressure that I just didn't want to do anymore.
So here I was with this dilemma, so do I stay at my hospital job working 12 hour days, nights, weekends, holidays and call hours so I can just "punch in and out?" Or do I finally invest into a mentor and try to find a way to make what I truly love to do become a reality? After I did two more weddings and feeling my body just yearning for normal sleeping hours I knew that I had to at least try. So my research began and I found my mentor(s), fell in love with her education and got the empowerment I needed to face the challenge head on! I dove in right away with finding a place to move everything out of my house and gain some sanity!
Here I am double strapping with two cameras shooting a one of my m last weddings in 2016!
The studio
When I first started my career in photography I always told myself I would never have a studio. I always hated how cheesy and unnatural people looked. And don't get me started on the backdrops (I still hate the fake backgrounds). When I found my mentor I was actually in love with her style of shooting because she used mostly natural light and any artificial light she used, she would make it look like natural light. I was also intrigued by how she was able to make curvy women look thinner in photographs without shooting from the sky! I decided that I wanted to find a space that would give me tons of natural light and after looking at several places I found the perfect place! And it's located right in the heart of the Arts district of our community! I want to take you through the timeline items if the year in photos!
The rear entry way to the elevator...
The future consulting/viewing session room.
Storage space and changing room
Studio/shooting space
The ability to bring my kids with me to work if needed is priceless to me. Here is my youngest supervisor.
Starting to build my portfolio!
Having family and friends helping me launch this new genre was absolutely vital!
And having friends in the industry to help me get started was perfect!
And then finding the perfect hair and makeup artist was like striking gold! Follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
My handy husband helping his wife's dreams come true!
I flew to LA in March to meet my mentor in person! It was INCREDIBLE!
Then I can back and wanted to refine my portfolio even more!
I was falling in love with transformation and timeless photographs and finally being able to guide my clients in ways that flattered them without making them look cheesy or unnatural!
Being able to try new ground was key!
I continued to be blown away by transformations!
Finding incredible products from Ireland to sell!
Again having the ability to have my oldest kiddo stay with me is absolutely worth it!
New flooring being put in!
The big transformation
When I say that I have poured myself into this studio I mean it with my everything. My husband bless his soul had been so helpful with helping more with our children and house chores that thank you just isn't enough. One day soon I hope to have him working alongside me full time and utilizing his incredible musical talents. It's hard for me to believe that this is where I started. I can't say thank you enough to everyone who had been an encouragement or had helped support me. You guys have truly given me the job I don't ever want a vacation from. You have given me the opportunity to be a mama first and the flexibility to raise my family around my family. You have given me the ability to help provide for my family. Please know that I am so thankful for each and everyone of you reading this blog! It's been an incredible journey! I can't wait to see what this next year brings!
Thank you all so so so so much! Be sure to watch this video for a chance to enter into my birthday contest for a $1000.00 gift card!!! You are amazing!!