"You don't take a photograph, you make it." - Ansel Adams

I always had a passion for photography. I began taking courses in high school and right through college. I absolutely love taking photos of landscapes, abstracts, etc., but what I found that I loved the most was taking portraits, candid and non candid (but lets admit it, candids are just beautiful!) So, in my senior year of college, I took a special topics course where I got to focus on portraits. I was psyched and couldn't wait to just photograph people! My first "big" project for that course was when a college friend of mine announced that she was engaged, and wanted me to take photos of her and her hubby-to-be. I was honored and didn't hesitate to say yes!

I'm not going to lie to you, I was so nervous about this shoot. I was excited but this was my first real sitting! However, this was two people's first photos on their journey to marriage, and a life together. What if I screwed it up? What if they came out horrible? What if, what if, what if! Finally, a few days before the Saturday that I was excited yet hesitant about, the same course that I mentioned before, was having a little history of photograph assignment where I saw one of the quotes that I now live by. A fellow student was doing a presentation on Ansel Adams, when a gorgeous photo came up on the PowerPoint presentation. In the bottom corner were the words "You don't take a photograph, you make it." That's when it hit me. Anyone can take a photograph, but it was the way that my friend saw how I created my photos that drew her to make her memories of her engagement. I knew that if I did my work, my style, just what I did before, that she would love whatever I was able to create. And so, I give you some of her favorite picks:

That's how my photography journey began. I can't wait to show you more! Stay tuned because next post I'm going to show you some wedding photos that I took!

How did your photography journey begin? Was there something in particular that really inspired you?

Until next time!

~ C