Why I Want to be a Wedding Photographer

Ok so I know the title sounds an awful lot like some cheesy essay you'd have to write for school, but seriously.

Weddings are beautiful. I had never been to a wedding prior to this summer, but I've always been drawn to the idea. Probably because I'm a girl. I don't know. But a wedding is just such a gorgeous expression of the love a couple has for each other. The whole day...the bride getting ready, nervously (but excitedly!) taking care of each detail so that it will be absolutely perfect when she walks down the aisle to see her beloved. The groom, standing at the end of the aisle, shaking in anticipation of seeing his Beauty, his love, walking towards him, ready to give him her whole heart. The family looking on in excitement, love, and tears. The entire crowd watching and sharing in the love two people have for one another. The flowers, the decorations, the food, all the little details (that were probably the cause of much stress in the preceding months) all coming together seamlessly to create the ideal story book setting for the couple.

Big weddings, small weddings, formal, informal, the idea is all the same. Two people in love and by Love joined together forever. And some lucky photographer gets to be there to capture it all forever.

Beautiful.

As I flip through the websites of some of my favorite inspiring wedding photographers, I just know that this is what I want to do. I want to capture every beautiful detail in the way the couple deserves. I want to get to know them, and everything that makes them unique. Their hopes and dreams and desires. I want to portray all of that through my photography. Throughout my search of the world wide web, I've come across lots of wedding pictures that are just downright awful. To the couple, I am sure they are cherished, and I wouldn't dare tell them what they've missed out on. But it hurts my heart to know that a couple did not get
the attention or the capture of memories that they deserve. Every couple deserves the best. I know finding a photographer will be one of my most important decisions some day regrading wedding planning. (Probably second in importance only to making sure the groom is there! Haha). I know how I'll want to feel on my day, and some day, I just want to make sure I can give someone else the same thing.

I know I don't have the skill, knowledge, or equipment to pull it off at this moment. I wouldn't dare take a risk with a couple's special day like that. But dang it I will work my butt of until I can do it!

In short, I love weddings.
The end.

The heavens declare...

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

Yikes!

*Venting ahead...very sorry. It's been one of those weeks.*

So I apologize to anyone who has stumbled across this expecting it to be a strictly photography blog instead of personal. That's what I intended it to be...but it's just not working out right now.

I have GOT to find a way to get this going! I feel like I was going full speed ahead with doors opening left and right....then all of a sudden I slammed into a brick wall!

I have a ridiculously awesome new camera that I am learning how to use. I have spent hours and hours and hours (literally several days straight because I had no energy for anything else) reading through photography forums and soaking in all the knowledge and creative energy I can.

But I can't get any opportunities to shoot anything! I am for real about to start begging (as professional as possible of course haha) photographers to just let me follow them around or clean their studios just so I can be around photography.

I want this so bad. I want to be taken seriously. I don't want to just be that kid that can afford the expensive camera. I just need that chance to prove I can do it.

P.S. Thank you so so so so much to the photographers who have given me tips and shooting opportunities so far. I am still shocked and amazed every day at how helpful the photography community in general is. You all are so amazing and such a blessing!

Just one of my favorite pictures. Not technically the greatest I know, but it reminds me why I love this.

And a beautiful evening followed the rain...

Today was very relaxing! I got to sleep in, then woke up to pouring rain and a lovely thunderstorm. I love storms! This evening was filled with dinner with an old friend, and then later, Jazz in the Park. It was a beautiful evening, but I was by myself and not a lot to see. But, to fulfill my end of this whole photo blog deal, a few pictures! (All park pictures taken by my crappy 75-300mm lens...I need new glass!!!!)

Mm...dinner

Big Band and Jazz at Ecton Park!

I LOVE this. Always classy, even in a lawn chair!

Too funny. Hoity toity wine glass lady and toupee wearin' (?) UK disguised drink guy.

Awww

Yay musicians!

Old friends. Very sweet.

Day Trips are Fun!

Not much going on today! I love these last few lazy days before going back to school, where there is plenty to do but I'm still convinced that I have loads of time to get it done haha. I thought for today that I would share a few pictures from my trip to the Newport Aquarium with the boyfriend. In all honesty, the aquarium was a bit lame haha. But we had a fun time in the Newport, Ky/Cincinnati, Oh area!

Enjoy!

First Post!

It seems as if I've been bitten by the blogging bug! This could get long winded...

My name is Jenny, and I am a 20 year old photographer from Ky. I've loved photography ever since I was little, and only just recently has God started opening doors for me to turn my love into a business! His blessings are so amazing every day! Shooting opportunities are far and few between at the moment, but in the mean time I'm soaking up all the knowledge I can. The more I learn, the more I realize I still have to explore. It's great!

The Brief Bio:
I'm a student at Western Kentucky University with a double major in Music and English (writing option). My family is absolutely wonderful and supportive, especially my dad! (Only the best dads take you to the camera store to look at new lenses and help you start saving to buy them haha!) I am dating the love of my life. We've been together a little over eleven months, and I couldn't ask for a more loving, supportive, Godly, strong leader.

The Business:
I'm working on getting all the legal things straightened out to officially have my own business. The working title for now is Image Jolie-Because Life is Beautiful! (Image Jolie is French for pretty picture!) Right now I'm mainly doing on location senior and engagement portraits, but my main goal is to assist with enough weddings to some day be a wedding photographer myself! The photography community has been so amazingly welcoming, kind, and supporting, and I've managed to find some wonderful mentors already! It surprises me every day how much the photographers I come across are willing to help each other out instead of just cutthroat competition, and I love it!

The Dream:
Lately God has been showing me more and more that I don't have any place to dream small or settle for less than His best for me. Life is too short and filled with too many blessings to be miserable all the time! As I keep trusting my dreams to Him, I know He's going to lead me on the greatest adventure of my life. I'm very seriously hoping to move to Colorado after I graduate college. I absolutely LOVE to travel. My absolute dream for the future? Get to travel around often with the love of my life, photographing people with theirs (i.e. weddings!). And some day have kids. Haha.

Thank you to anyone who managed to make it though all that! I'm going to challenge myself to at least make a few posts a week with some thoughts and a picture or two!

For now, a few favorites! I will always love comments/critiques/suggestions on my photographs! It's the only way to learn!