2002-2012; Celebrating a decade

I must have been crazy.  I actually said yes.

I had just graduated with my studio art degree a week earlier and wondered “what world have I entered.”  Was I really crazy?  Who goes to college for 4 years, accumulates debt, and walks away with an art degree, a photo degree for that matter?  I had interned with tabletop photographers in exchange for a free lunch and experience in a studio . I had set up on location studios to photograph kids.  I had carried filters, lights, changed film backs, entered taxes, wrote invoices, and  learned business techniques from an amazing mentor.  I had run my butt off, been yelled at, sweated through hot summers carrying bags and props and ladders and anything else wedding photographers wanted.

But to shoot as the main photographer at a wedding was another story. And to shoot a December wedding in Internationl Falls, MN was just plain crazy.

Thankfully after consulting a few individuals and meeting with the couple I was booked.  And scared. Terrified actually.

We made it safely, my boyfriend (now husband!) as my assistant and I made the 6 hour commute in little snow and shot the entire wedding without a hitch.

I was hooked, like the coffee that I much too regularly drink, on weddings.  One referral came after another and before I knew it I had shot 10 weddings in one year.  It continued as I hired a former classmate and friend to design my first website, and as the ball rolled, it continued and still does.  Since 2002, I have gotten married, had 3 kids, lived in 4 different homes, have shot over 200 weddings, and made numerous friends from weddings, photographed their kids and been able to watch them grow.

It is a job that I can’t imagine living without.  A dream that I have had since I was 15 years old.  So the dream continues, and I am happy to be able to share it with all of you.  Stay tuned this year as I have thought through some great specials and promotions to continue to expand the business.  Here’s to 10 years and many more to come!  Thank you to all my clients, friends and family who continue to bless me with your stories and lives each day.  I am a blessed woman.

Photo credit goes to my awesome and wonderful assistant of 5 years, Elena Melling!