Um, whoa. This is beyond surreal. I don’t think I could sufficiently put to words how I feel about having reached this point. I am a photographer? With my own website?! THIS IS MY JOB?!?! I can hardly believe it… Let me share this journey with you, sweet friend.
From a young age, travel was a passion of mine. The allure of the fresh and exciting sights, smells, and sounds captivated me. My desire to capture what I was experiencing was simply insatiable, and I voraciously snapped as many photos as I could, every new place I went.
This hobby lasted me through my travels, from teenage-hood to college. After college I married Abbas, my high school sweetheart, in my own little love story. I eagerly pored over photographers’ websites, intent on finding the one whose pictures represented the diverse range of emotions a couple feels on their wedding day. This pursuit was simply glorious. Even then, I didn’t truly consider becoming a photographer. After all, I was destined to be a teacher and change lives!
Then I met Paige of Paige Laurel Photography. We initially bonded over her request that I help her train for what would be her first half marathon. Very quickly, we became inseparable, and her love of photography gave me a whole new perspective. This, coupled with my dad throwing me under the bus in the face of a slightly intoxicated bachelorette asking that I take her group’s party photo–”She’s a wedding photographer, here, she’ll do it”– has born in me a fresh adoration for this profession.
I committed wholeheartedly whether I was ready or not (let’s be real, it was definitely “not” at first), and got a job as a nanny for the summer to save up and buy my first camera. I am proud to have worked as hard as I did to purchase my camera, as that makes the process all the sweeter.
Paige, who probably now regrets asking me to run with her (just kidding–she’s one of my best friends), gladly began mentoring me, coaching me through my lack of understanding of the finer details of photography. Bless her. It has been a long process, and Paige was (and continues to be) kindly patient with me. It’s because of her that I have two weddings of experience under my belt, and she’s cheered me on as I’ve shot family sessions and engagement sessions as well.
So, here I am. This is me. I am way too busy for my own good, but I see beauty in the hard work. I work diligently to the glory of the Lord. Life is messy, but that’s okay. It’s the mess that makes each photo all the more meaningful.
Thanks for joining me. I’m truly glad you’re here.
Love,
Jenn <3
comments +