Keepin’ it Real Thursday {Where I started – Sacramento Newborn Photographer}

So this weeks keepin’ it real is talking about personal growth.  I was cleaning out my office and came across some notes that I had scribbled on a hotel notepad about 4 years ago and it inspired this post.  Clients ask me all the time how I got into photography.  Well, it started long ago with my love of being able to freeze time and forever capture moments.  But I won’t bore you with my entire road up until now.  Let’s fast forward to 2008.  I  had a Canon Rebel xsi with 2 kit lenses and I wanted to learn all I could about digital photography.  I was working in a corporate job, traveling around, half the week living in a hotel.  I went and got a FREE library card and would check out photography books.  When I was on the road, I would read them from start to finish in my hotel room before I would go to sleep.  I taught myself A LOT by reading and also researching topics online (gotta love youtube.com!).  There was a lot of free information out there.  The notes below were scribbled on a hotel note pad from one of the library books I had checked out.  I am so glad I saved them because it is a great reminder where  I started.

The more I learned, the more I wanted to dive deeper into photography.  I got to the point where I wanted to further myself past my self teachings, but knew I couldn’t take any college classes unless I left my job and had a stable/predictable schedule.  So in December of 2009 I left the corporate world and went back to work full time at the hospital  (as an cardiac sonographer- translation- heart ultrasound technician).  Before I had left the other job, I got the guts to ask a friend if I could take photo’s of his pregnant wife.  I would do the session for free if they let me take pictures of the baby when they got here.  They said yes and I was hooked.  My first sessions weren’t very good, but each one I did I learned something new (or a lot of somethings!).  I also enrolled in night photography classes (2 a semester since I worked full time at the hospital during the day).  As I was learning, I was shooting.  I was building my portfolio (at first for free, then a “donation,” then I slowly started charging more as my skills grew and my work improved).

At this point I hope I haven’t bored you to death with my story, but my main point is that I didn’t get to where I am over night.  I worked hard and I continue to work hard.  I still learn something new with each session that I do.  I worked hard to upgrade my equipment.  I have learned to shoot what I love and I know the love I have for what I do will shine that much brighter.  I LOVE photographing newborns.  Absolutely adore capturing that sweet innocence in a classic, fun,  and creative way.

Here is a first newborn session from 2009 and a recent newborn session in 2012.  It is ok to follow other photographers and be inspired.  I appreciate many photographer’s work.  BUT the only photographer you should compare yourself to is the photographer you used to be.

And finally, believe in yourself.  Don’t forget where you started and always look ahead to where you want to go.  Never stop learning.  And most importantly, don’t be afraid to get started…