How & Why I Became a Photographer

Yay!  Thank you for clicking the link and for joining me over here on the blog!  I am so excited to start sharing some thoughts, how-to's, and client stories (as well as my own) here on the blog!  What better way to start than by sharing how I became a photographer, and more importantly, why I choose to continue to do it in a very competitive industry.  

HOW I BECAME A PHOTOGRAPHER

My story starts back in high school, when this very out going extrovert jumped from performing arts to a visual arts focus.  It was there that I had my first encounter with photography and it's processes.  Some of my first images I captured was on a walk down Summerland Main Street, my Tudor themed hometown. This is where I attempted to artistically capture small town life.  From behind the lens with an old film camera, to developing my images in the dark room and seeing my art come alive, my love of photography was birthed.  

Fast forward several years, post wedding, post baby, and this stay at home mom with a creative soul, was looking for an outlet.  An outlet to express all the creativity inside me that wanted to bubble out, but had no medium.  I am not going to lie.  It was also to get out of the house and have some kid free (and husband free) moments.  Christmas 2006 is when I received my first SLR camera.  It was an Olympus starter kit with two simple lens.  I knew so little about photography, I can't even tell you what lens and what model!  But alas, I jumped into the digital photography world and loved every moment of it.  

For several years, I just enjoyed capturing our growing family and anyone else who would let me take their picture.  Our kids are probably some of the most well-photographed children!  One day we had a friend over for lunch after church.  He was attending a local college and doing photography on the side as a business.  I asked him for advice on how to take better pictures and he gave me the best advice I had ever received.  Just start shooting in manual mode and it will force you to become very familiar with your camera.  This is still my number one piece of advice for photographer enthusiasts.  Thousands of pictures later, I could not only see my photography skills improving, but I also realized my love for capturing families and events!  So, I just leapt right in and Infinity Photography was birthed.  

Oh, but it was rough at first!  I posted a picture below of one of my very first images.  Which was much better than I had ever done before, but I knew I had much to learn.  If you manage to go back and find my original images (which you can on my FB page, good ol' FB), you can see a visual representation of my creative growth process!  I hope it brings you hope in knowing, we all start somewhere.  However, if you don't start somewhere, you will never grow.  After about a year of "building my portfolio", I decided to take some classes at the local college and glean from photographers with more experience.  Through those classes and mentors (who have turned into colleagues and friends), I have been able to take my rough little photography hobby and build it to what it is today.  

I am still growing and learning!!!  By no means have I "arrived", meaning there is still so much to learn and experience.  Photography is a competitive industry, even in rural Saskatchewan, but I am some of my competitors biggest fans.  Growth comes when we learn to celebrate one another in our victories and in our art.  My local colleagues continue to inspire me and push me to do better.  Constantly striving to learn and grow, both in business and in art, is an important part of my professional journey.  Striving for these things is both for the betterment of myself and for my clients, so I can deliver better images and experiences more and more. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, MY WHY

My kids!  I want to be able to show my kids that through hard work, determination, and even a little personal sacrifice, you can achieve your dreams.  Especially for my girls, I want to show them, that even though I chose to be a stay at home mom for most of their lives to date, I still have passion and zeal to learn, grow, and achieve.  

My husband!  Honestly, if it wasn't for my husband, I think I would have lost my confidence.  Comparison and doubt are the thieves of joy!  He is my motivator, my biggest supporter, and fan!  I do it for him.  

My clients!  I am passionate about people and they deserve to be celebrated, captured, and cherished.  I love connecting with all walks of people, hearing their stories, seeing how they connect with nature, their families, and their kids.  Often I even offer encouraging words as we talk between the shots.  Connection is one of my biggest reasons why.  I love you guys!  Genuinely and truly.  

Myself.  Ok, so some would say, "What?!?  You do this for yourself!  That doesn't sound very noble."  But here is a secret, it is good and even noble to do things for yourself sometimes.  Especially as a busy mom of six!  I consider my photography, my connection with my clients, my art, a form of self-care.  I get out into nature, see interesting new places (near and far), meet amazing people, and get to view the world through the lens of my camera.  Feeding my soul and my heart in that way is an essential part of grounding me and I am so thankful that I get paid to do it! 

GIVING BACK IN AN INTENTIONAL WAY

Giving back in an intentional way is important to me.  That's why, when you book a session with me, I am here for you.  My faith is an important part of who I am, so even before arriving on location, I have prayed specifically for you and your family and/ or event.  Not everyone believes in prayer, and that's ok.  Just know I am sending good thoughts to our Creator on your behalf.  

Being a low income family for most of my married life, my heart is especially soft towards other like families.  This is why I am priced affordably and I give generously.  Professional photography is for everyone.  To show my commitment to this, I also give away at least one session a year to a sponsored family, and also donate sessions towards other good causes.  We are better when we work together and show kindness.  

Teaching and mentoring is something I am also passionate about.  Recently, I had the opportunity to share my talents and gifts with a high school student as part of her 4-H program.  We committed to a six month mentorship where we were able to learn the basics of photography and hone her creative talents.  My own kids often want to join me to my sessions, and as they get older I look forward to teaching them too.  Both my oldest son and daughter have said at different points, they want to be a photographer.  I am passionate about encouraging others to go after what they dream about!  

WHAT ABOUT YOU

So, now that you have heard my story, please tell me a bit about YOU!  What are you passionate about?  Or what is something you have always wanted to do, but never had the courage?  I want to know!  Comment below or private message me!