I’m not sure how it happened that I started becoming the one people wrote with photography questions. Me? I’m still new at this too! But it was pointed out to me that because I’m still new, I’m closer to where even newer photographers are at – and I can relate with them better than the photographer who has been around for years. So I really am more than happy to share and help…after all, that’s how I got to where I am today, by others who shared with me. And so, like I said when I posted about this FAQ on Facebook, I don’t know it all. But I’ll do what I can! How did you get your foot in the door and start second shooting? How did you know you were ready to make the jump? My first second shooting gig came from the guy who sold me my camera! Duncan at Lens and Shutter sold me my Canon 5d Mark II and then invited me along to ‘third shoot’ a wedding with him and another. That opened my eyes to the reality of wedding photography and I loved it…yet I still did just family portraits for quite a while, as I built my portfolio and learned the ins and outs of my camera. I made the jump into full time wedding photography over a year later, January 2011. Which makes this my first full wedding season and I’m loving it! To bridge the distance between that first wedding and jumping in full time, I shot a lot and invested in learning. I had taken an online course in 2009 which taught me some technical stuff, but I found the most value from taking pictures and plugging into a photography community. Discussion boards, photography blogs, etc. The best investment in learning I made was attending Jasmine Star’s Workshop in Orange County last June. I know for some it can seem like workshops are expensive, but when you’re thinking of making photography your career, it’s a small price to pay. And plus, it was SO much fun! When I began booking weddings for 2011, I set a number, a goal. When I reached that number, I knew I had to leave my ‘day job’ because if I wanted my business to grow, I would have to give it my all. And it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.…
Read More