Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I share my love for capturing moments through a lens. I’m often asked, “How did you get into photography?” Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share my journey—how I went from snapping blurry phone pics to building a career as a professional photographer. It’s a story of curiosity, happy accidents, and a whole lot of learning. If you’re just starting out or wondering how to turn your passion into a profession, I hope my story inspires you to pick up a camera and start creating. The Spark: My First Camera My photography journey began in high school, during a family trip to Yellowstone National Park in 2010. My dad handed me his old Canon point-and-shoot camera to “keep me busy” while we hiked. I remember the weight of it in my hands, the satisfying click of the shutter, and the thrill of seeing a geyser or a bison through the tiny LCD screen. I wasn’t creating masterpieces—most of my shots were crooked or overexposed—but something clicked inside me. I was hooked on freezing moments in time. That summer, I saved up from my part-time job at a local coffee shop to buy my first DSLR, a secondhand Nikon D3100. It wasn’t fancy, but to me, it was a ticket to a new world. I spent hours in my backyard, photographing flowers, my dog, and even the neighbor’s rusty mailbox, experimenting with angles and light. The Learning Curve: Trial, Error, and YouTube Like most beginners, I had no idea what I was doing at first. Terms like “aperture” and “ISO” sounded like a foreign language. My early photos were a mix of underexposed shadows and blurry messes. But I was determined to figure it out. I turned to YouTube tutorials—shoutout to creators like Peter McKinnon and Jared Polin for their beginner-friendly videos. I also checked out library books on photography basics and joined a local camera club where I met other enthusiasts who shared tips and feedback. One of my biggest challenges was overcoming self-doubt. I’d compare my work to polished Instagram feeds and feel like I’d never measure up. A turning point came during a community photo walk when a mentor told me, “Photography isn’t about perfection; it’s about what you see and feel.” That advice shifted my focus to storytelling, not just technical precision. Finding My Niche: Falling in Love with Portraits By college, I was shooting everything—landscapes, street scenes, even my roommate’s poorly lit dorm room parties. But I found my true calling during a volunteer project for a local nonprofit in 2014. They needed headshots for their staff, and I offered to help. I was nervous, but guiding people to relax, laugh, and show their personality in front of the camera felt like magic. One staff member teared up when she saw her photo, saying, “I’ve never felt so confident.” That moment sealed it: portrait photography was my thing. I started offering free sessions to friends and family to build my portfolio, focusing on natural light and candid expressions. Each shoot taught me something new about lighting, posing, and connecting with clients. By 2016, I was booking paid gigs, mostly senior portraits and engagement sessions, and I knew this was more than a hobby. Turning Passion into a Career Going pro wasn’t a straight path. After college, I worked a 9-to-5 marketing job while shooting on weekends. Balancing both was exhausting, but it gave me the funds to upgrade my gear (hello, Canon 5D Mark III!) and build a website. My first paid wedding gig in 2018 was a game-changer—a nerve-wracking 12-hour day that left me exhilarated and exhausted. The couple’s glowing review gave me the confidence to raise my rates and start marketing myself seriously. In 2020, I took the leap to full-time photography, a scary but thrilling decision. I hustled to grow my client base through Instagram, word-of-mouth, and local vendor partnerships. Today, I specialize in portraits and weddings, and I’m grateful to wake up every day doing what I love. What I’ve Learned (and What’s Next) Looking back, my biggest lesson is that photography is about persistence and authenticity. You don’t need the fanciest gear or a perfect portfolio to start—just a willingness to learn and a unique perspective. Mistakes are part of the process; every blurry shot or awkward client interaction has made me a better photographer. I’m still growing. This year, I’m experimenting with film photography to add a nostalgic vibe to my work, and I’m planning a personal project to document small businesses in my hometown. I’d love to hear about your photography journey—when did you first pick up a camera? Drop a comment below or reach out to share your story. And if you’re ready to capture your own moments, let’s chat about booking a session! Happy shooting,