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Have you ever come to a point where you get discouraged. I think we all have. Maybe you’re discouraged with a project you’ve been working on for a long time that you can’t seem to get right. It could be discouragement in your relationship. Maybe you’re getting discouraged with your ability to be a good mother or even a good friend. Or it could be your career. You could be at that point where it’s hard to see the growth & you’re doubting if you’re good enough. Something I’ve learned over the years is that when you’re struggling, it’s always good to take a look back at where you came from.

BECAUSE I’M HERE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING… YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

Sometimes, as a photographer, it can feel like you’re in an overcrowded industry & comparing yourself to others becomes a part of everyday life. My feed can become filled with other photographers I admire, but then their pretty photos can turn from inspiration to tearing myself down real quick. As much as I don’t want to admit it, this has happened to me more times than I’d like. And truly, I think it happens to everyone at times.

The biggest way I have found to get my confidence back & believe in myself again is by taking a look back at where I started compared to where I am now. Truly, it’s so uplifting to see that transformation.

I thought I would be completely vulnerable with you guys & show you how I began.

Disclaimer: I am so thankful for every single client & friend who has allowed me to capture their memories from day one. Thank you for trusting me & allowing me to learn by doing. I know every photo is still a memory that you may still cherish. This post is by no means undermining that, just showing my progress from 2013 to now. I am so thankful for you supporting my dream for 8 years now.

If you’d like to keep reading, I encourage you to take a quick scroll through some of my photos as an encouragement to you to keep going & to remind each person reading this to keep following your passion because YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

This is how family portraits looked when I asked them to “get close” back in 2013. This is how they look now.

One year galleries used to include black & white photos with awkward pops of color, but now include natural photos of your babe in their most adorable form.

My sweet grandparents have trusted me to take their photos since day one. The left is one set who put up with my awkward “it’s snowing in Florida” photos. My other grandparents on the right look a whole lot less awkward!

I have always loved these photos. So fun & create such candid smiles with dad. It’s so cool to see how true knowledge of a camera & lighting can truly change a classic photograph.

My portrait sessions used to focus on lots of props instead of focused only on the reason the session is happening… YOU.

Capturing families in natural green backgrounds has always been a favorite of mine, but the difference here truly shows how much time I’ve put into learning this passion.

I remember when I did this session on the left. I was obsessed with it- I even showed it to photography professors at different Universities I toured. They critiqued it hard & it left me so discouraged & confused. Looking at the photo on the right makes me so glad I didn’t give up.

Couples photography has been a passion since the beginning. Unfortunately my sessions included trying to re-make Pinterest photos, now it focuses on your love & creating those authentic moments.

I look back at this photo on the left and focus on all the mistakes I made. Awkward positioning & forced smiles. When I look at the other all I see is a happy family lovin’ on their new babe.

This is the transformation that inspires me the most. Wedding photography has always been my biggest passion, but also the thing that scares me the most about this career. A wedding day is the biggest day of someone’s life & the fact that I’m asking someone to trust me to capture it is something I do not take lightly. Looking back & comparing these photos makes me so grateful for each couple that has trusted me since 2016 & reminds me that I am completely capable giving my couples the photos they’ve always dreamt of.

Taking a look back at those photos shows me how far I’ve come. Lots has changed: my editing, the knowledge of the camera, my posing, my confidence level, the experience I provide to each client & so much more. There are always things I can continue to grow on & I think that is so important in order to give my clients the best.

I challenge you, next time you feel discouraged, don’t forget to take a look back at how far you’ve come. I promise you, it will do nothing but remind you how amazing you truly are.