Today marks 5 YEARS since I photographed my first wedding. In case you didn’t already know this: I actually never set out to be a wedding photographer, and I most definitely didn’t ever imagine running my own business full-time! But thankfully God knows me and my gifts, talents and abilities better than I do (of course — He created me!), and graciously guided me to where I am today. Maybe I’ll share more about my journey to where I am now one day, but TODAY I thought it would be fun to look back on the past 5 years and share with you all 5 unexpected things my photography business has brought me, sooo HERE. WE. GO:

1. Let’s be real honest to start things out: A livable income! Haha But for real, I remember thinking my junior year in high school that I would love to do photography for a living, but feeling pretty defeated because my realistic little mind couldn’t see ANY possible way that would happen. Thank goodness God always has plans bigger and better than my own. Just for kicks… here’s a little flashback photo to that year and my self-portrait photojournalism assignment. I propped a mirror up against a tree in my backyard to capture it. Little did that 16 year-old know where she’d be today…

2. Speaking of finances, photography has brought me the ability to pay off my student loans 5 YEARS early! That’s right — that’s happening soon! PRAISE. THE. LORD!

3. Weddings. YEP. I said it. NEVER in a million years did I think I would be a WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER. I actually turned down weddings in college because it was “too big of a job to trust me with.” But again, I am so thankful God had other plans for me — and gave me a twin brother who told EVERYONE that I was a wedding photographer after shooting my first wedding as a favor for a friend. He’s my biggest fan for life.

4. My high school Bible study girls! Oh goodness, these girls are such a gift in my life! I could go ON & ON, but again: It is crazy how God works so much in the details to bring the perfect group of girls into my life with similar situations that I dealt with at that stage, and it all started with a senior portrait session.

5. Some of the most life-giving and encouraging friendships and relationships! Gosh, I am typically not a crier, but some of my vendor friends and clients and have literally brought me to tears over their care for, generosity toward and support of me and my business. I actually save all those notes / kind emails for “rainy days”, because we all know the entrepreneurial life is a complete roller coaster and sometimes you just need a little pick-me-up. Thankfully, I’ve got a lot of them. 🙂

The time I “9th-wheeled” it for a photo with 4 Angela Lally couples who all got married within one year!

SO many clients and vendors turned real-life friends!

And the time my WHOLE FAMILY got to attend / be in / see me work a wedding.

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it 1,000 more times: Photographing friends weddings is THE BEST.

And I like to dance at weddings… A lot.

The time I walked out to photograph the sparkler exit and everyone thought it was the Bride + Groom coming, so they cheered — and then went “ohhhh…” and got quiet when they saw me. So funny!

Thank all of you for following along on this crazy little journey of mine. 5 years down… let’s keep it going, shall we?!

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