It’s crazy to even fathom a triple digit number when it comes to talking about my job. Truth be told, I almost forgot to keep track but tomorrow I am lucky enough to shoot my 100th wedding day. I always smile when someone asks me how I became a photographer (then I gauge how genuinely interested they are in hearing the wild story.) One Craigslist camera, a few years of not knowing what the heck I was doing, a little business savvy, a lot of faith placed in me, and a few long nights working hard… to sum it up. Thankfully I haven’t had to buy 100 bridesmaid dresses in my life or wear high heels every week but a little piece of my heart feels like I have been able to stand by my best friends on their wedding days (even when they started as strangers.) Lucky number 100, it’s insane that I have already been a part of so many days, so many couple’s stories, so many images, so much dancing. To think that just four years ago I was a girl in a windowless office with a drive and a dream and a determination to do something different is more than a little crazy. Every single night when I go to bed and set my alarm, I sleep knowing that when I wake, I get to fill my day with chasing dreams, taking naps, and doing the things I love the most. There is absolutely no greater feeling than that and I swear that I acknowledge that blessing everyday! One hundred, 1-0-0, man, it’s just wild.
For every single couple who has trusted me with their memories: thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me into your lives, thank you for inviting me into your precious memories, thank you for treating me like family, for trusting my crazy ideas, for letting me dance and say inappropriate things to make you laugh, for spending such a special day with me by my side, thank you for inviting me into your family and most of all for believing in the dreams that I am chasing. From a red and khaki lifestyle to two time “best photographer” Wisconsin Bride awards, this journey has been intense, insane, a little crazy, but filled with so much joy. As I celebrate this milestone, I invite you to celebrate the good in your life too. Whether you are chasing your dreams or scheming a way to make it happen, whether you love that corporate office or you dream of traveling abroad, whether your idea of success looks like raising a family or finding a cure for cancer or just being happy, know that you can do it. There will be days you want to rejoice, days you want to quit, days you question your sanity, days you want to dance, but all of those days are part of the story you are currently living, whether or not you are consciously writing it.
Cheers to 100 special days spent capturing love and marriage and to 100 more to come!
–
–
–
YAY! Big congrats to you lady! <3
You are a rockstar! I am so inspired by your giving heart. Keep it up girl!!