My Photography Journey

I started my photography business when I was a freshman in college, but my love for photography began much earlier. 

In high school, I switched schools during my sophomore year. My journalism credit didn’t transfer over, so I had two choices: take journalism again or try photojournalism. I bet you can guess which one I chose. At this point, I had never picked up a DSLR camera, but by the end of the year, my teacher saw potential in me and encouraged me to join the yearbook staff. This is where my passion for photography was born. I loved capturing the excitement of high school sporting events, even though I relied solely on my camera’s automatic settings.

After high school, I stepped away from photography and didn’t think about it during my first semester of college. But at the start of my second semester, my friends and I took a day trip to Palo Duro canyon, and I brought my dad’s camera along. From there, I was always taking photos.

The summer after my freshman year, I did a photoshoot with two of my best friends from high school—shoutout to Bryn and Carson! When I got home from that photoshoot, I decided to start my business. I made an instagram page and posted the photos we took (if you scroll down on my Instagram you can still find them).

At this point, I still didn’t know much about photography. I used the automatic settings on my dad’s camera and edited with free presets I found on Google. But that summer, I dove into research. I learned how to use my camera manually, edit (kind of), pose my clients, and more. I offered free photoshoots all summer to practice the skills I had learned. 

Fun fact: When I started my business, I was SO shy. Before every photoshoot, I would spend the day rehearsing what I would say to people. I was terrified of meeting new people. Now, six years later, you’d never know I was shy! Many clients tell me I make them feel comfortable during their photoshoots. It’s like I switch to a different, more confident personality when my camera is in my hand, and I love that version of myself.

Throughout college, I continued to build my business skills. By the time I graduated in 2021, I had completed over 200 photoshoots for college seniors. I spent an extra year in Lubbock focusing on my business before moving home and transitioning into the wedding industry. While I has assisted with a few weddings during college, it was after graduation that I truly fell in love with documenting love stories.

I find true fulfillment in photographing weddings. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my college seniors! I can’t forget my roots. But I’m so glad I made the change.

My business has helped me grow so much as a person, and I’m excited to see the ways it continues to make me grow. It has helped me express myself, been a creative outlet, helped me overcome my social anxiety, and so many other things. I don’t know how long God will allow me to have this job, but I sure do hope it’s for a long time!