Wednesday, March 19, 2014

And So It Begins

I've spent over a year doing everything I could think of to build my business. I reached out to photographers; I met some and worked with others. I rebranded. I created a website. I had someone redesign my blog. I changed my pricing so that I actually make a profit (haha!). I did my best to spoil my clients because I genuinely appreciated them hiring me. I spent some a lot of money on equipment. I started a savings account. I learned more about editing. I learned about business, taxes, and organization. I agreed to a few shoots I wasn't super excited about. I did a ton of shoots I was overly joyed about. I finally discovered that I want to specialize in weddings and seniors. I failed a few times and succeeded a few times. I tried to fear less. I said yes to almost everything to challenge myself.

This year I have nine weddings booked so far. I'm SO excited! I have quite a few people to thank for teaching me what they know and sharing their lives with me the past year and a half but also, my own hard work has started to pay off! There were days when I went to bed at 2 a.m. to finish researching something or to finish redesigning a page on my website. I realized today that I really have put my heart and soul into my business. I was determined for it to succeed and it's finally beginning to get somewhere. I deeply care about creating art. I deeply care about my clients. I deeply care about pleasing my clients. I deeply care about doing things right. I always explain to brides who contact me that I love what I do and I would NOT be doing it if I wasn't 100% sure I could deliver quality work. 

But five years ago when I first picked up a DSLR, I would not have believed this would be my full time job and definitely wouldn't have thought I'd have gotten a business license at 19 years old. I wanted it but I didn't quite believe in it. Until now. So thank you to everyone who has given me hope and given me your time. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you if you recommended me. Thank you for trusting that I know what I'm doing despite being young. Thank you for reading my blog and commenting on the photos I post. Thank you for encouraging me. I'm so grateful and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. To the couples and seniors I get to shoot this year, I can't wait!! Life's about to get crazy! AND TOTALLY AWESOME.



Second shot with Sera Petras Photography.

4 comments:

  1. Meredith, this is a wonderful source of encouragement--YOU are a wonderful source of encouragement!!

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    1. Mariah! I'm so glad this was encouraging to you! :) Thanks for your sweet words!

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  2. Meredith, I just loved reading this post. It is so cool to see how other photographers further their business. There is so much to learn!
    I have loved watching your photography grow, it has gotten better and better with every post. =D

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    1. Mackenzie, thanks girl!!! That means a lot to me!!

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