"What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?”
I get this question a lot & so here are some of my tips!
- Invest early on!
- My first camera was a $2,000 camera and it wasn’t because I was loaded with cash. I wanted to learn on a professional camera and I still use that camera to this day.
- I also invested in professional editing software such as Lightroom.
- Say YES
- The first year of photography I said yes to so many random gigs. One of my friends asked me to shoot her wedding, it was my first one and I was so scared but I’m so glad I said yes!
- When starting out, it's great to experiment and figure out what's for you! After that wedding, I knew I wanted to do wedding photography and have pursued it ever since.
- My photoshoots have ranged from brand shoots, to weddings, engagements, modeling headshots, album covers, proposals, artists, families, parties, events, maternity, graduations, travel photography etc.
- Ask Questions
- Watch videos, ask photographer friends, do research! I am self-taught and did so much research starting out and am still learning so much!
- Keep your creativity
- Social media can be helpful but I think that it can also weaken your creativity. There can be a lot of comparison and competition in the photography world, so take time offline to remember why you started in the first place and to go find your own unique flair.
- Create Opportunities!
- When I first started, I offered photoshoots for free or discounted just to get used to my camera and to figure out my photography style!
- Have Fun!
- Don’t take yourself too seriously! Yes, be professional but also stay joyful! Clients are a lot more relaxed when you bring a joyful and relaxed presence to a photoshoot/wedding. If you’re having fun, they’re more likely to have fun too!
I hope some of my experiences help you as you start! Best of luck!

