Pouring Rain

Wow! I am a really terrible blogger :D. But I think that's going to be changing.

I'm a mom of a ridiculously adorable 19 month old. I love her to pieces and she is absolutely my world right now. That being said -- I'm sure it's obvious why I've been straddling the amateur and the professional world of photography! Regardless, one thing remains the same -- I want to master this craft. I want to become a phenomenal family photographer. And practice makes perfect, right?

Very rarely will I turn down an opportunity to do a photography session. And around here, when it rains, it pours! I've had so much going on -- and I have yet to document it all on here! So I will be doing an update tonight :D.

Allow me to reiiterate my goal with this blog. I want to document my growth as a family photographer. I want to post some of my favorite shots, some of the more creative shots, some of the shots where I had a vision but maybe it fell flat, etc. I want this to be an opportunity to reflect on my work and possibly inspire someone along the way! Besides my photography, I want to post things that inspire me, too.

Enough talking! On to the posting!

Welcome to my photography blog!

I think it's funny how many people find themselves working in industries they never first intended. I'm pursuing my love of photography - but I majored in history in college. I took a ton of history courses, because I find it fascinating - the stories, the relationships, the social connections. But at the end of the day, I couldn't really picture myself in a career that was supported by a degree in history. My mom used to always tell me growing up, "Do what you love, because you'll be doing it everyday." It wasn't until I had volunteered to take pictures for a church camp that it hit me - I really love this!

When I first began to see what it would take to become a photographer full time, I found myself diving into every avenue of portraiture - weddings, children, family... want your dog pictured? Sure! It wasn't long before I was feeling overwhelmed and wondering what I had been thinking. And then I got another piece of advice: "Find the story you want to tell and use your professional skills to tell it."

I want to tell the story behind the child. Who is this kid? Who are they when their parents aren't watching? What do they just love? Who is important to them? What do they want to be when they grow up? And as they blossom into their teen years - who are they becoming?

I'm a new mom. My baby girl is, at this moment, 6 weeks old. And, you know, as familiar as she is to me right now, I still have very little idea as to who she is. I can't wait to see more of her personality! I can't wait to hear who she wants to be when she grows up. And in these early weeks, months, years, who knows what I'll miss if I'm not careful? I knew that I wanted to tell the story behind the child before I had a child of my own, but now that I have Abigail, I believe I have an even greater understanding of what it's like to want to capture those moments!

I am relatively new to the world of professional photography. I still feel as though I have a lot to learn. And I've got goals. My biggest goal for the next year is to become a certified photographer with the Professional Photographers of America. This involves an exam and submitting images from 20 paid jobs.

As for my other goals?
* Complete 20 paid jobs
* Successfully study for the exam
* Pass the certification exam
* Pass the examination of my images from the 20 paid jobs
* Take one fantastic photo each day
* Create one masterpiece a month
* Complete the Mama-razzi Project

What an adventure lies ahead! I get excited just typing out those goals. And to think it will hopefully all unfold right here before your very eyes. I still love history ... but I have to tell you I'm so glad it's not required that we have careers in what we majored in!

Thanks for visiting today.