How I made myself a better photographer

I have always wanted to be the best photographer I can be. I decided that I will try hard to be better than I was one year from today. I started watching YouTube videos. I have also watched and sat through a few online photography classes. The first online photography class I was in was David Molnar and he was teaching how to use manual mode. Since then I have only been using manual mode and I love it. Knowing how manual mode works is great because I am able to control almost everything on my camera. I can take a photo of the same exact place but I can decide what mood I want it to have by making the photo come out either dark or light. 



I then was in a online photography class with Amy and Jordan, they were teaching how to pose couples. I know it doesn’t sound like that would be an important thing to learn but it is if you are a wedding photographer, engagement photographer or a family portrait photographer. Knowing how to pose couples shows that you are a professional and the couples will love the photos after their session. 

What Inspires Me

When I first started photography I was inspired by how well I thought my work was. I would pick up my camera and just freelanced everything that was in front of me. I would take photos at the park, photos of my pets, photos of wildlife birds and photos of my friends and family. I am inspired now by not only how much I like my work but also by how others like my work. I have been trying to push myself to learn everything I can to make myself a better photographer. I learned how to shoot in manual mode and I love it. I also get inspired by the fact that I can take pictures of whatever I want and they can be how I want them to be. I love being able to be creative with my work. Whenever I run out of ideas, I go on Pinterest and find photos I want to try to shoot. Seeing other photographers work inspires me to take photos that looks just as good as them.

Photos that have inspired me

Things I wish I had known before the wedding session

In May 2018, I photographed a wedding for a family friend. She asked me if I want to photograph her wedding because she needed a photographer and she wanted me get experience and start a portfolio for my photography career. When I got there I talked to the preacher so I knew where he did and didn't want me to be and what he didn't want me to do. So he wanted me to take photos without the flash on. I thought I did a pretty good job. I took over 4,000 photos at the wedding and the reception. I went through the photos I took and they were fine for being a beginner but I was kind of hoping they would look more professional. The problem was I didn't know how to shoot that well without flash. Yes, I practiced without flash before the wedding but they didn't have the right lighting. I wish I would have known how to shoot in manual mode because I would gotten better photos. If I would have known how to shoot in manual mode the photos would have been more crisp and clear, not off-tinted. I also wish I would have known how to shoot moving objects, also known as sports mode. If I would have known sports mode I would have been able to get better photos of the kids dancing in the reception. Lastly, I wish I knew how to use Photoshop, so that I could have edited the photos and make them look more professional before I gave them to the newlyweds. Overall it was a great experience and learning opportunity, but I recommend that if you want to photograph a wedding for the first time, make sure you learn manual mode and practice, practice, practice. 

How my Photography Journey Started

Growing up my mom always had a camera to take photos for family events. She take photos at holiday dinners and family get together. She would never let me and siblings use her camera, but one day I asked her and she let me. So I took photos at the holiday events. We went camping fourth of July weekend in 2017 and we took her camera. We went for a walk with our dogs and I was in charge of taking photos. I was taking photos of my family and the scenery, that was the big moment where I fell in love with being behind the camera. In the Fall of 2017, I was starting my applications for college and I was set that I wanted to go for nursing. One day I decided nursing isn't what is going to make me happy, so I was trying to figure out what I wanted to go to college for. Then I decided I wanted to be a photographer and have a photography business. In the winter of 2017, I was talking to a family friend about how I want to be a photographer instead of a nurse and she was looking for a photographer for her wedding. So a couple of weeks later she asked me if I would photograph her wedding and I could use her wedding as an experience and for the start of my portfolio. I decided I need to buy a professional camera so I bought a Canon Rebel T3i. I took about 4,000 to 5,000 photos at the wedding and when I went through them, I thought I did pretty well for being my first time. When I gave the photos to the newlyweds, they were very happy about the photos. Since then I haven't really done any photos for clients, but I have done portrait, pets and nature photos. I have also started a website with a variety photos for clients and freelancing.

One of my first photos I took.

One of my recent photos I took.