Why I document love stories
I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to be a photographer that would one day document love stories. When I was little I wanted to Ariel and swim in the ocean with Flounder and Sebastian. In 7th grade I was going to be in a band with my two best friends. I was going to play the drums! Have I ever held drumsticks in my hands? Nope, but that didn’t matter! Obviously that was a short-lived dream, but at the time it was what we wanted! We even wrote about it in our 7th grade yearbooks! In high school I wanted to be a forensic scientist (I watched a lot of CSI!)… The sky was the limit!
I’m not sure at what point in our lives that we stop dreaming in the same way we did as kids… When anything was possible and there was no doubt in our minds that we could make it happen. We dreamed without even trying.
As adults it can be harder to see the impossible as possible. We usually are swept up in all of the things that could go wrong and the challenges we might face. More often than not we shy away from the “scary” because it’s risky. However, it’s usually the things that scare us the most that have the most amazing outcome. Yes, there are times when we try something and it doesn’t work out and THAT IS OKAY! Failure is apart of life and learning. It’s what happens after we fail that matters!
I never want to stop dreaming of the magical possibilities that life has to offer! I don’t want to get stuck in the routine of life and have no passion or desire to strive for bigger and better things. I always want to push myself outside of my comfort zone!
Not until I was 18 did I consider being a photographer and even then it didn’t click right away. I started out carrying another photographers camera bag, which then turned into second shooting and eventually assisting in the studio. Even when I started my own business in 2010 I was thinking “Oh my gosh, what am I doing??” I had always loved photography and all other kinds of art. However, I never saw myself as a businessperson or someone who would run their own company. There are days when I am overwhelmed by the business side of what I do… There is SO much that goes on behind the scenes that has nothing to do with photography. I am also very introverted which was a huge challenge for me starting out. Being a wedding photographer puts you in social situations with people you have never met all the time! It was super intimidating at first, but now I LOVE it! I love meeting new people and being swept up in their love stories! I have been utterly blessed to have the most incredible clients! I work with amazingly genuine people all the time that constantly blow me away with their kindness!
For instance… Lisa is an absolute sweetheart! I first met her and Eric (her hubby) in the summer of 2012. We met at Starbucks in Estes Park to chat about their wedding that would be taking place the following summer. I was instantly over joyed (at this first encounter) to be working with them. They were the sweetest! I have had the pleasure of photographing their engagement, wedding, and one-year anniversary! Lisa randomly sends me beautiful cards/notes of encouragement and kindness and they seem to come at the exact moment I need them! Last night after getting home from a birthday party I received a Facebook message from Lisa that truly reminded me why I do what I do…
“I’m at a wedding right now and there is a lady next to me talking about how people generally end up with only a few pictures from their wedding photographer that they actually want to print. I wanted to let you know that I had the exact opposite “problem”. I wanted large prints of nearly every picture and had a very hard time picking only a few to put up at home and in the office. You are amazing and I thought you should know it!!!”
I reread the message a few times, cried a little bit, and realized that Lisa’s sentiment and love for her photos is the exact reason WHY I chose to document love stories. I want my couples to have images that they will cherish forever. Images that bring them joy and tears when they look through them over the years. I also LOVE making life long connections/friendships with my clients. I may have the title of “wedding photographer” but my deepest desire is to bless and serve the people that I meet along this incredible journey!
So, while I haven’t always known I wanted to be a wedding photographer… I wouldn’t trade it for anything else! I have a DREAM JOB! I absolutely LOVE what I do and even on days when the behind the scenes becomes tedious – I am sent such sweet messages reminding me that what I do matters!
The first time we had a photo shoot was at their engagement session in Denver! They were full of giggles the entire time!
Eric and Lisa’s wedding was simply amazing! They were incredibly joyful and surrounded by so much love! They had their ceremony at Black Canyon Inn and a reception at Twin Owls Steakhouse!
We met at Lily Lake in Estes Park for their one year anniversary shoot! It was such a gorgeous day!!
Could they be anymore adorable??? Lisa made the flower in her hair!!! She is so creative! I have gotten many handmade cards from her and they always blow me away! Be sure to check out her shop on Etsy – A Spotted Butterfly
I hope this becomes an annual tradition! Making friends like this is one of the greatest blessing of my job!
I encourage YOU to chase your dreams and reach for the impossible! Don’t settle in life – it’s far too short to be spent doing things you don’t enjoy.
What are some of your dreams?? I LOVE reading your comments – write them below!!
If you want to see more from Lisa and Eric…
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