I mean business!

So... I did this thing today. This has been on my mind for months. I kept telling myself that if I started booking more [paying] photography gigs, THEN I would make my business legitimate. Well... after booking five weddings and two brides in the process of considering me, I have finally registered my trade name with the Ohio Secretary of State! Well, the combination of all those positive things and the fact that my CPA cousin told me this should have happened on gig one... whoops!

Let’s be honest here: I never dreamed of owning my own business. Although, after much thought, it really was the only way to use my creativity on a more regular basis. After all, it’s somewhat frowned upon to be overly creative in the accounting field (my day job).

“My Day Job” – that’s funny to say. What months ago was my livelihood I am now calling my day job. It’s true though. This week has just been me catching up at work while also being in the midst of recruiting season (I am also the lead Kent recruiter for accounting and finance interns... I know, I am crazy) and then spending my remaining hours at home editing wedding pictures. It probably doesn’t sound appealing to most people reading this, but let me tell you, my new business gives me renewed life.

My first wedding gave me all the feels. First came the nerves while driving up to the wedding venue, to almost immediately feeling in my element, and by the end of the night, the feeling of pure exhaustion. The best feeling though? Two potential brides have reached out to me in the last week asking me for pricing and availability. I dreamed things like this would happen, but never did I think it would actually get traction! 

It’s easier for me to talk positively about other people than to talk about my recent mini success (I know this is not much to brag about in comparison to other small businesses, but I am still really excited), and I really don’t want to jinx the momentum I have going for me. So, with that said… Let’s talk a little bit about my first photographed bride and her beautiful, rustic wedding. 

What was great about this wedding was that it was perfectly my style and that the bride, her mom and mother-in-law created professional-level decor. Seriously! The owners of Alford's Glen, the wedding venue, were showing an engaged couple around the property and they even asked for a referral after seeing the barn decorated. The bouquets, boutonnieres, arch decor, signage and appetizers (along with many other things!) were all handmade. If you know me well, this really was my kind of wedding!

I was beyond grateful for the opportunity to photograph this beautiful wedding. This bride had so much more faith in me than I had in myself at the time she asked me if I would do it, and I feel that I owe this bride for this little bit of momentum I’m starting to receive. She has given me the chance to prove myself to the public, and for that, I will never forget my first wedding as a photographer.