2012 was unofficially, officially my first year in business as a professional portrait photographer. I have written a blog post on how the business was created and the meaning behind the name "J. Artistry Photography, " that you can view on the blog, as well! I can stand firm on the truth that none of this would have been possible without the grace of my gracious Father in Heaven! He makes all things possible!
I have many favorite photographic moments from 2012. As a beginner in this vastly complex and competitive field of photography, I look back at client sessions and feel nothing but extreme gratitude. I yearned for the practice and thrived with each small step of success. Then, as I would tumble backwards from technical confusion or other such challenges, there was always the support of my amazing friends and family to urge me onward! Professionally speaking, this has truly been the most difficult, yet most rewarding job and endeavor I have ever undertaken.
The reason that I have ultimately settled on this image of my daughter is because this is the first session that I truly felt was purposeful and planned with artisitic vision. Like many other "momtographers" I have garnered the majority of my practice shots and sessions from chasing around my children with the camera! It has been adventurous and satisfying. Not only have I gained invaluable practice time, I get to document their lives! The journey into the world of professional portraiture has been a myriad of emotions, all ending with the single realization that this "job" is my calling. I always said that I would never leave my first job as a stay at home mom (SAHM) unless I could truly help people. Motherhood and photography are that perfect partnership of my priorities.
I asked my daughter to wear her pink princess dress to the park, in which she was a more than willing participant. And, like I have found with many other sessions with children involved, I just asked her to climb the hill at the local park and "be herself." She danced and prayed and sang to her hearts content, while I captured some of my favorite images of her from the year. She is my pretty princess, indeed!
I was specifically and technically trying to capture proper white balance on an overcast evening, keeping my subject tact sharp, while not having a blown out sky/background. I asked her to walk away from me, to give that ethereal journey type feel to the photo and to give the viewers eye somewhere to travel (add depth and dimension). I processed the image by adding contrast to the sky and a bit of black to add to the mood of the photo. After posting this image on facebook, this was the first time that many friends and family (and even other photogs) said that this image stood out to them as far as technique and editing style. I was thrilled.
I know that 2013 is going to be an even more amazing year! Our clients are unbelievably special to us as we get to be a part of their lives, creating lasting memories. And, as always...
