As a photographer...have you ever gone through the torture or torment of reviewing OLD FILES?! And it doesn't necessary have to be old as in years and numbers past, just old as in before you grew just a little bit more in your craft and art?
There have been moments in my life where I felt so apologetic in my heart towards someone I did a wedding or a job for in the past, knowing that you didn't give them a great job-not because you didn't want to, but simply because that's the best that you were at the moment. I freak out inside thinking they might never come back to me again because I now know that I didn't do such a great job (even though I didn't know that back then) or thinking they might share their album and no one will come to me because of those errors.
I have been so fearful of even writing this post or anything close to it because it is quite embarrassing, but so very honest and TRUE!!!! I think if every photographer were just as honest they would all agree that EVERYONE starts somewhere! You don't just wake up great at what you do....you WORK HARD for it! You grow in your craft and art and you never ever stop growing!
So I wanted to publicly say to my clients in my beginning stages who have felt cheated in any way...."I'M SORRY IF I RUINED YOUR PICTURES!" Know that it wasn't my heart to ruin them. I honestly did and have always worked really hard and have done my absolute best. In the past two years my work has taken a tremendous turn and I acknowledge plenty of mistakes that I made. I just feel it is only fair to share this so that no one goes into the misconception that you just wake up a natural. You don't!
I have been fortunate enough to have clients that have believed in me. They have stuck with me for years and I know that they have also compared and acknowledged my growth and I am so grateful for them sticking to my side! Thank you for trusting me and knowing that my heart has and will always be in what I do. You mean more to me than you know and your memories and your families are what matter most! You are the reason I do what I do and you are the reason that day in and day out I invest in my growth.
I am NOT an expert (YET), but I do share a passion for photography. I will always acknowledge my mistakes because there is someone looking to grow in this art and looking around to only see photographers who are "perfect" and have never made mistakes. I am here to tell you that we all start somewhere and I encourage you to step out and believe in yourself. You can do it...it will take hard work and dedication and mentors and studying and PRACTICING and FAILING...but you can do it if this is what you really want! Start small and grow your way into your dreams. Don't despise small beginnings! I still consider myself in a small beginning stage compared to where I want to go!
I hope to never stop growing, never stop learning...that just means more memorable moments for all of my clients! I want to give them an experience they'll never forget but in a way that they will be so delighted to share to the generations that follow them! Thank you so much!
I have attached a semi-prime example of what my change has consisted of. When I first started back in 2008, I always focused on the passion, the poses, the moments...little did I focus on was the FOCUS points, the lighting and the framing! As time has progressed I have tried to blend both! The problem sometimes can be that either you focus so much on the technical that you miss the MOMENTS, THE EMOTION etc and other times you can be so focused on the emotion and the moments that you miss the tech! When those two mesh, that's when magic happens.
Again, definitely not an expert, but here's my little "transformation" for ya. And this is just ONE photo... I think I need to follow up with a link of the FULL ALBUMS of both of these sessions. Mind you, this couple LOVED their engagement session when I did them in 2012...there were some magic moments but there were A LOT of mechanical flaws to the photos and some I sincerely got lucky with on the technical aspect...but in 2015 when I did their 2 year anniversary photos...it was beautiful-I was ready, I knew what I was doing with my camera a lot more than before and then I was able to KNOW that their photos would be wonderful. Please let me know if you'd be interested in seeing the full albums of each session out of curiosity...I think only then will you be able to see the full perspective.
xoxoxo
Photo on the right 2015: This photo was only processed through lightroom with hardly any need for lighting adjustments or anything. I took it into photoshop just for a finish. Editing on this photo probably took me a total of 2-3 minutes (if that!). Learning to get things right in camera was a major change for me! Notice the focal point is directly on the couples faces which is so important.)
***Again, comment below if you're interested in seeing the full albums to compare the full shoot. To simply see a few photos from their current 2015 shoot and read a little bit of their story, click on this link ---> http://www.ibelieveinloverz.com/2015/02/mc-classy-romantics.html
