One Year Later

Soooo this post is a little different from the others. Today is one year since I received my little Nikon DSLR camera, and the take-off of my dream as a photographer. All I can say to you all is thank you for getting me to where I am. It only seems right to first acknowledge my Savior, Jesus Christ for bringing me to this point. Second, so many of you encouraged me without even realizing it. One day last summer before a family session, I wondered if I should even keep pursuing this crazy dream. Afterwords, I knew I wanted to keep going. Many of you came back to me a second, third, and one family even a fourth time for photos. When someone contacts you because so-and-so referred you, it's a HUGE compliment. And words cannot describe the feeling I get when I hear "I look so good in my photos, Christa! I love them!" So THANK YOU everyone! :)


Let's start with my parents. We just got back from a great Christmas spent in Ohio with family, and THERE WAS SNOW!!! There normally is, but when you spend every other season in South Carolina, it's pretty exciting! I would absolutely love to travel up north a little bit every year for some gorgeous sessions in the snow. The day after Christmas I asked my dad if he could take a few shots of me in the icy winter-land outside. He actually got really into it (as in he kept repeating "I'm feeling it!!"). But my dad isn't just my dad, he's my manager. Yes, the camera was on aperture priority mode when he was using it, but he and I have both learned so much on this journey. When we decided to upgrade cameras and a lens last summer, he spent countless hours researching trying to find the best bundle and equipment. We were introduced to terms and problems that I wouldn't have been able to figure out by myself. He's the reason I was finally able to post a price list (I am so indecisive! It's harder than it sounds!) and the reason I haven't blown money away on junk, or went into the hole buying equipment. My mom is an accountant, so having her here to work with me is great. She helps me handle the income I receive, and has deposited countless checks for me. Aren't they the cutest ever??


So, here is a little bit about where I am at now.

I take and edit all my photos (except the ones of me of course) and love it. However, like I mentioned above, there is so much more to a photography business than just taking and editing photos. How will the client get the photos? How and when should the client pay? What should I charge the client? These were all questions my parents helped me answer, and had to be acknowledged (so so so thankful for my parents' input!!)

I currently use a Nikon d7000 and my favorite lens is my 50mm 1.8! I edit my photos with Lightroom and don't know what I'd do without it!

And here are a few photos my dad took. He did a pretty good job!! So if you ever need photos and I'm unavailable, call him up!

Thanks again for all your support!! I can't wait to see where this takes me and am looking forward to 2014!!! 

Happy New Year!!!

 

-Christa Rene