A few weeks ago, I was absolutely blessed to be a huge part of my friends’ wedding. I met Char and Marc when I first arrived in Pittsburgh in 2012. We worked long hours together in a struggling small business and held each other up when times were tough. Although it was a difficult period, we all feel a sense of nostalgia for it. It was a time of growth, connection, and hard work. In some ways, it was necessary in that “growing-up” process.

Char and Marc had both worked there for quite a while when I started, so they were sort of my mentors. When I struggled, I had them there to reassure me I wasn’t alone.

I was so happy to be with them on their wedding day. They are both such bright individuals. Authentic, and so fun. I am beyond grateful and flattered that they came to me with trust and asked me to document their wedding day. A day where you are so vulnerable and open for all to see.

The day had wonderful periods of calm and quiet, and then burst of excitement and fun and emotion! I saw so many happy tears.

I can get pretty emotional when it rains on a love-filled wedding day. It hits home with me. It rained on my wedding day and the rain seemed to wash away all the anxiety and pressure that had been building up for the past several weeks. It felt so magical.

It’s such a special experience to see couples with their families. You see connections you wouldn’t otherwise see. I felt the same way shooting with Viv and her family when we did family pictures. I felt like a part of everything.

I think thats some of why its so important for me to find MY clients, and for clients to find the right photographer to work with. I used to think that I was supposed to snatch up any job that came my way. That was the only way to be successful. I thought I was supposed to pretend that I knew how to do EVERYTHING and I was a total pro in all areas. But, like anyone, I have my strengths and weaknesses. I am working to make my strengths stronger, and find confidence, and I am working to turn my weaknesses into tools to learn and opportunities to get out of my comfort zone.

On top of that, I have a personality, and so do you! Throughout my life and career, I’ve been trying to find my voice, and only recently have I learned that I should be heard! While working with Char and Marc, I realized that they were MY clients. My friends. My people. I felt relaxed with them. I worked hard to get the best shots and moments I could, and I used my voice. Not my mentor’s voice. Not the voice of those I admire, and not the voice of the imaginary ideal professional I think I’m supposed to be. This opened up a whole new sense of self-worth for me.

I am who I am supposed to be because there are people who need me. Not the imaginary ideal photographer.

As always, I will try my hardest to be as flexible as possible to fit the needs of my clients and I will accept when we won’t have the same language, and I will do this without pretending I am someone I am not.

Whoa, Char and Marc. I just went on a nice long tangent about confidence and self-worth on a post about you! This is what you wonderful people do for me. You make me think and reflect and appreciate that I know you and you make me better.

It’s so fun to finally be sharing these!

I’m so happy to know you, and can’t thank you enough for asking my to be a part of your day!