I am by nature, a very hands on type of person. I learn by doing. I can read so much about photography, but until I actually get out and snap some photos, it doesn't make much difference. Practice, practice, and more practice is my motto these days. I am learning to see everything around me with a photographic eye. I want it to seep into by being and become so engrained that I think photography, look for great light and frame photos in my mind with out consciously doing so.
One thing that has helped me in my photographic journey has been taking self portraits. I have found it incredibly useful when I can't find a model or have a spur of the moment idea. Being comfortable in front of the camera myself helps me direct my clients and come up with new poses. I can experiment with placement, backgrounds and angles and spend as much time on a certain thing as I like. Most of what I have learned about taking portraits is because of practicing my ideas on myself.
These photos are the result of scoping out a new spot. It was extremely beneficial to go ahead and get ideas and try them out. I can definitely see this as a great place for engagements. If only my hubby had been with me! Alas!
I am so grateful for the time the Lord has given me to delve deeper into these things. It's been a huge blessing to be doing what I love. I certainly have a long way to go, but I am so thankful that I've been given this opportunity. Thus, I strive for excellence!
With striving for excellence in mind, here are a few goal I have set for the next few months:
- Find several local photographers that I admire and seek to connect with them, shadow them during several shoots and glean from their experience and wisdom
- Save, save and save - I want to pay for all my equipment in cash (that means not going in debt)
- Make a practical list of to save for items and put in order of importance
- Learn the ins and outs of Lightroom
- Always put up a sneak peak from sessions
- Blog sessions before I put albums on Facebook
- Update this blog at least once a week
- Order business cards
- Research a better web & blog hosting site
- Stick to my guns, and by that I mean pricing
- Believe in myself (that means not being over critical of yourself and your work Jen!)
- Look for opportunities for ministry sessions - this business is God's not mine
- Get up by 8 am every week day
- Write a handwritten note to every client
Well, that's all for now! I'll check back in to see how I've done!
16 comments:
Cute!! I totally agree with you that it would be a good place for engagements.
Keep up the great work! :)
capturedbythelense.blogspot.com
You are so gorgeous! And can I just say I would love to raid your closet!! You have the cutest clothes ever! Lovely goals, love the written note to every client idea.
Looks like we are both list-makers! You are talented and ambitious, and you will do great! (Oh, and your new location for photo shoots is a winner!)
AHHHH! You're SO pretty!!!!!!!! And those locations are amazzzzinggggg! Your photography is getting better; I can tell. Love it!
Wow! Those are some incredible pictures!
I thought the one where you're cross-legged on the ground is especially adorable.
And your debt free goal, SO important! Way to be!
These pictures are so captivating!!!
I want to step into that setting.
That sounds like a wonderful list of goals! Good for you!
You sound like a wonderful photographer to work with. =)
I love the pic where you are sitting cross-legged. How cute!
You are gorgeous as are all of these pictures!! Also, I LOVE that one of your goals is to write a handwritten note to all of your clients. They will all love that! :)
love this, gorgeous!!! especially the pic of you sitting down :) so cute! xo
What a great list of goals. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE your hair!
These are so beautiful! Your editing skills have changed a lot since I first started following your blog and by change, I mean are so much better!!! I love the colors in these, your composition and the lighting! Beautiful Jen! :)
xoxo
love your goals - i keep a list for myself also! it's good to keep me in check and on the right path!
i'd like to suggest Vista Print for business cards - they have hundreds of card designs or you can download your own!
You look stunning...STUNNING! It looks like you have been doing this for years!
love the outfit. love the setting. love your facial expressions. love this!
xo
These are some really great goals, Jen, seriously. You've got a good head on your shoulders and I think your ideas are the foundation for some great photography and a solid business. Keep it up!
What do you use to take your self-portraits?? They are so fun!
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