First Wedding!

It had been at least 2 years since I actually shot a wedding, and before that 3 years so I have to admit I had my hands full and even thought I did my homework and I thought I was pretty well prepared, I still had some OMG what now? moments. Ok so I arrive to the place chat with the bride who’s waiting to get ready and when I got get my camera there is a huge crack across the screen, lucky for me it was only the protector that cracked, I could still see the images, but what a scary thought! And I did not have a back up camera. That will be my investment as soon as I get some money from shoots a new 7D or 5D body. The switching of the lenses was also painful and complicated and I only had 2 lenses. So I definitely think a second camera body would be a great investment. I struggle with posing the couple and probably with time ( I would take too long at times to move on to the next pose ). But overall it turned out great, the couple was great, they were very good a listening to my instructions and following my lead and the bride was very cute which always helps. I'm very happy with the results, hopefully they are too.

Affordable Wedding Photography

That was the title of my post in craigslist, my mentor Oswaldo Blanco would probably slap me if he knew I was offering my services for so little money. And why ? well I need the practice, I need the portfolio and to be honest, I have no idea how it will all go down that day, so I don't want that kind of pressure or liability since I'm just starting out with weddings.  And I'm not just talking about the wedding pictures, but also the business aspect of the wedding photography, which to be honest, it's a lot. I got 4 emails in one day from brides to be, asking about the offer, and  I was as happy as if I was gonna get paid thousands of dollars when the contacted me (that's the beauty of working for something that you love). Tomorrow, I have my "First Wedding shoot" technically is my 3rd but the first since my decision to make this a full time job. I'm nervous, excited, more then anything I'm hopeful that all my hard work will pay off and I produce awesome pictures for the couple and that they are good enough to get clients more in the future.

I get by with a little help from my friends

“I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends”.  The Beatles

You know how they say the key to success is motivation and perseverance, I agree with that, but what they should really say is that “friends” whatever the 21th century definition of that is, is the true key to success... even better your Network! I never really grasp the importance of networking till a couple of months ago, when I realized that from your family and friends to your Facebook friends and blog followers your network really is the key to success. For instance I’ve tried to start a photography business before, only to find myself lost in the woods of information and ridiculous amount of waste of time. Then I had a baby and I turned 30 and it was like life gave me a gift (more like a slap in the face) Hey! Chica wake up, if you want to really be a photographer get your act together and make a plan.

Is that when my plan began? Nop, but that is when I asked myself, how do I get a plan? And my research started. Blogs, websites, facebook account, google searches and then I picked my groups:

Online: moms with cameras, mom togs, jasmine star These women spoke to me, had a voice I could relate to. My flickr groups are full of great photographers willing to help out with questions. And more then

The locals: my community I found a local group of photographers that meet once a month for $30 a year for classes, photography advice, classes and even road trips.

Friends: started offering my free services to family and friends to get a portfolio going and also some god all practice.  Rather learn from my mistakes with them than with a $2,000 wedding.

And the most important one, my husband TF, who has been more then understanding and supporting by staying with our son, while I’m of doing a photo shoot for half a day around somewhere. This is the way your partner shows real support, taking care of the things you can’t while working!

After that overload of information went away, I have found a nice spot to grow.