Last week, my friend and fellow wedding photographer Molly with Molly and Co. asked me to make a special guest appearance on her blog and of course I happily obliged–1) because I adore the gal and 2) the topic was on the importance of taking photos of yourself.  Once I sent her my personal thoughts on why I thought it was so important from an entrepreneurial stand-point, I thought Why the heck haven’t I posted this topic to my blog yet?  So here it is: 

I’m an expert photographer of all things.  My passion lies in photographing people and I can say with 100% confidence that I know exactly how they should be posed, what should be said or done in order to capture that perfect moment that translates the intangible to the tangible.  But put me in front of the camera and the confidence I just so ostentatiously verbalized quickly dissipates like a drop of h2o in dry…very dry…desert.  After kick-starting my business though, I realized how important it was to begin taking photos of myself and sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, my website–basically with whoever or where ever people were willing to pay attention.  Because in a sea of lively, thriving, wave-making, talented photographers and entrepreneurs, my differences and uniqueness had to be captured and relayed through these images of myself.  I needed to show that I was different.  I wanted to show people who I was as a wedding + lifestyle photographer.  I needed to show people that I am a photographer, business woman, mother, wife, friend, coffee-lover, traveler, wanderluster, chocolate obsessed, candle collector, foodie, weirdo…the list goes on and on.  I needed to show people me.  

Once I began to share more images of myself through my multiple digital platforms, I found myself attracting like-minded clients that would quickly turn work relationships into long-lasting friendships.  I found myself documenting weddings and lifestyle sessions that were a reflection of my aesthetics and style.  So listen friend…sometimes this self-photographing thing can be a bit daunting…terrifying if you will.  It’ll leave you feeling vain and self-absorbed.  You’ll wonder if people care.  Are even worse, if people are judging you.  But you just have to remember…do it for your art.  Do it for your craft that you so strongly believe in.  Do it for your business.  Do it for you.  So flip you hair and take the god damn picture.