"What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?”

I get this question a lot & so here are some of my tips! 


  1. Invest early on!
  2. 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.
  3. I also invested in professional editing software such as Lightroom. 
  4. Say YES 
  5. 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! 
  6. 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.
  7. My photoshoots have ranged from brand shoots, to weddings, engagements, modeling headshots, album covers, proposals, artists, families, parties, events, maternity, graduations, travel photography etc.
  8. Ask Questions 
  9. Watch videos, ask photographer friends, do research! I am self-taught and did so much research starting out and am still learning so much! 
  10. Keep your creativity 
  11. 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.
  12. Create Opportunities!
  13. 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! 
  14. Have Fun! 
  15. 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!

Person holding graduation cap by rocky coast with seabirds flying overhead. Malibu
Paraglider soaring over snowy mountain peaks framed by autumn branches. Swiss alps