I started my career as a photographer in 2009. When someone would ask me “what do you do?” I replied, “‘I’m a photographer,” but not in a proud or confident way. To be honest, I answered this question in a ‘no big deal, whatever’ kind of way.
It was in that very moment that I realized just how IMPORTANT MY JOB is.
It’s not that I didn’t love being a photographer, because i loved it and had passion that burned like a fire you couldn’t put out. The truth is, I felt like being a photographer was not a job where I was contributing to this world or it just wasn’t enough. Like ‘yay I’m a photographer.’ I wanted to do more and make an impact in this world, not just be a “photographer.”
I know you’re wanting to yell at me, but stick with me here…
Years later, on a typical weekend in May, I had shoots booked all weekend. Friday I documented a birth, Saturday a beautiful wedding, and Sunday family portraits for a woman who was dying of cancer and those were her last days. All they wanted were pictures of their family together one last time and the pictures to remember it forever.
Sunday, after that family portrait session I got in my car, took a deep breath and burst into tears before I could even pull out of their driveway.
I literally photographed an entire life cycle in one weekend and that CHANGED MY LIFE. It was in that very moment that I realized just how IMPORTANT MY JOB is. How valuable I am as a photographer. How I am welcomed and trusted into the most special moments of people’s lives to tell their story.
Again, cue the tears.
Coming into your life as a photographer isn’t something I take lightly. No matter how many years I have been doing this, I still feel honored to be a part of your life. I give you a piece of my heart with each image, because to me, each and every image matters.
If you’re a photographer reading this, I want you to know YOU WORK MATTERS!!! Be proud in what you do. Let this be the fire that ignites your passion again. Let this be the day you realize the gift you’re giving others, it’s priceless.
