What I Wish I Knew As A Beginner Photographer

 

As I reflect back on my career in this industry, it is always fun to realize the growth that has taken place in me both personally and professionally. So much knowledge gained, many lessons learned, and endless amazing relationships and experiences with clients.

For today’s post, I thought I would share with you some of the lessons I have learned over the years and some of the advice I wish I could go back and tell my younger self. Now, I know there is no way for us to have it all figured out or sidestep every single obstacle but I do hope after you read this post you are able to sidestep even just a few obstacles.

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  1. Everyone starts out as a beginner. It is easy to look at someone that is 10 years into their career, seemingly has it all figured out and start comparing yourself to them. But it is important to remember that we all start in the same place and at one time that person you look up to the most, started from scratch just like you. So, give yourself grace when you are first starting out and know that growth will come with time.

Spokane Family Photographer, family holding hands and walking down a dirt pathway

2. It takes years to find your voice and vision. Even when you think you have it figured out and have dialed in on your individual style, it will change. Change is constant and you will never stop evolving both personally and professionally.

3. Invest in education and get a mentor. For me personally, investing in myself and business took me so much further than I would’ve ever gotten by myself. Gaining knowledge from someone who is a few years ahead of you and has already faced the obstacles you have yet to face is invaluable. For more information on a mentorship with me, click here.

4. Practice really does make perfect. Shoot as much as you can and practice using your camera in every type of lighting. Take the time to learn all of your camera’s ins and outs. Look up videos, play with all of the settings and invest in the time it takes to know your camera.

5. Shoot everything until you find your passion. Shoot everything until you find out what you love and where your passion lies. When I started I did everything and found that family and maternity shoots are my personal favorites.

6. Before you start buying presets, learn your editing software. When it comes to lightroom and photoshop there is much to learn but luckily there are tons of training programs to teach you! It is important to learn how to edit because even if you purchase presets, you’ll still need to tweak the photos after plugging in the presets. Twyla Jones and Sarah from My Four Hens Photography offer amazing courses for Lightroom and Photoshop.

7. Everyone goes through ruts, no matter how long you have been doing it or how good you are.  You will get into ruts and want to quit but it’s important to push through. It’s kind of like climbing a mountain. The journey up is long and hard and you don’t always know if the view from the top will be worth it. But once you get to the top and see the view, you realize it was all worth it in the end. The view is always worth it.

WELCOME

Hey! Hi! Hello! Welcome to my little world of running through fields, climbing rocks, splashing in creeks and snuggling and dancing with your babies. I yearn to create memories in to pieces that you can look back and remember that very moment in time. The way your babies chubby tiny hand stroked your hair while nursing, or the way your toddler never sat still. Let’s make those moments and chat over motherhood and all its crazy.