Paula + Jay
When I was first getting into photography I always dreamed of shooting a wedding. I knew I was going to eventually, but I wanted more practice before that day!After contemplating my sanity for a while, I soon decided I would put an ad on Craigslist and offer my services, free of charge, to the first person that would have me. My ad went something like, "Seeking Wedding Photography Experience: I have never shot a wedding before but I feel confident that I am ready and able. If you are having a small or low-budget wedding and would like to give me this opportunity, I will shoot your wedding free of charge, and you won't regret it!" Sometimes I can't believe I actually did that... But alas, it worked!
It wasn't long after I posted that when Paula contacted me about the small wedding she and her husband were planning for the 4th of July weekend. I was stoked. I came to their office and showed them all of the "work" I had done (which admittedly wasn't much at all), but after noting that I had "the eye for it," they signed my contract and I officially had my first wedding in the books! Later on it ended up that I shot another wedding (my FIRST wedding) three months before my "Craigslist Wedding," so Paula and Jay actually ended up being my second wedding!
Something I really appreciate is that in exchange for me shooting their wedding, they have given me invaluable advice in regards to photography, graphic design, entrepreneurship, and job hunting in general. Jay has shot over 400 weddings (just a little intimidating!) and now owns and runs his own design firm in Solana Beach. Since this is the industry I plan to stay in, this advice was golden!
Almost 3 months ago we headed up to Ponto Beach near Carlsbad and we walked the venue and talked about their wedding day. ( I really appreciated that too!) Then we headed down to the beach and took a few engagement photos. It was SO bright (and hot), and I was worried it would cause the photos to be overexposed (and cause my subjects to be too squinty), but in the end I think the light was pretty much perfect. Thank you again, Paula and Jay, for everything you've done for me and for giving me this opportunity! :)
0 comments: