This is one of my fave photos taken in my first year as a professional photographer. Honestly it was hard to choose a favorite from all the sessions, but this little girl at this age…..oh my! I’ll never forget the fun we have had at 2 photo shoots for her already. She loves to run and we captured it in her family photos.
I met her for her first session in the summer of 2022 as I was to take photos with just her and her brother. It was 105 degrees and ended up being a record setting day, tying a heat record on the same date from back in 1954. That didn’t slow her down, though…oh no it did not!!!! Our second meeting was in November 2022 with her brother again and this time her parents and grandparents joined in for a fall photo session (highly recommend not doing photos in the summer……fall was much better…one of many lessons learned since I started out).
She was the life of the session for sure. We did their photos both times at Cabin & Co. A place where there are different background options and she could explore and play between shots. Why make her sit still if that’s not what she wants to do? Her running pictures are my favorite. She was busy, liked to give me some looks, we definitely bonded, and she had me giggling for sure. I’ve known her Mama since she was about 13 years old, so it was such a full circle moment taking their photographs.
I look back on 2022 and I’m just so grateful.
I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I had the idea to start Friday’s Fotography and it’s been exactly a year since I allowed myself to start a business model and bring the idea to fruition. THAT MADE IT REAL! The anticipation, the excitement, and the “what ifs”. Could I do this?
The idea for the business came to me in October 2021. I thought about it, but didn’t speak it out loud until December. I next started achievable timelines and a business plan in January 2022. I was completely supported by my husband and family and, looking back, I realize I ended the year ahead of where I thought I’d be thanks to the people that helped me build out my portfolio.
I made sure to get educated in photography and participated in one on one newborn mentoring sessions. As things started to take off, it seemed so surreal. My first real family photo shoot was in April 2022 and my website launched in July 2022. I began charging for photo sessions in July (except for the newborns).
Newborns is where I am specializing and I didn’t expect to start charging for those sessions until this year in 2023. I had one particular Mama ask me to photograph her newborn ahead of my schedule. I felt like I needed more prep and time to get my studio together, so I wasn’t going to start with newborns until October, but for her I got things in gear and was able to do my first newborn session 2 months early in August 2022. That first session helped spread the word and I was able to do all my free newborn practice sessions by November 2022. You know who you are my first newborn photo shoot Mama!!! I’ve known you since you were 12 and your baby girl will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve told people a few times, but looking into baby girl’s eyes I thought of the George Strait lyrics “I Saw God Today”. I felt like even she was telling me “you got this!”
I had a very special family book for my first paid newborn session. That was in December 2022. I had never met them before and they found me on a hashtag search. Both parents are doctors and I’m so grateful they trusted me with their son. We spoke a lot in advance and I believe they knew safety is my #1 priority thanks to the excellent mentoring I received from Amber Star Photography. I could never have done this without her educational advice, support, and literally cheers from the sidelines as I first started posting my pictures of the babies. My first paying newborn family is another family I will never forget, the Mom (who still communicates with me and sends me pictures of her son), the Dad and the sweetest little baby boy.
I’m starting the New Year with paid newborn sessions booked. I am extraordinarily thrilled and excited to work with more babies. People are finding me on social media and I can’t believe it! Hashtags really do work! I appreciate the people that like and comment on my posts; it helps with SEO (Search Engine Optimization…another new term I’ve learned thanks to Megan at Modern World Consulting). Those likes, web searches, and filling out my inquiry form online really do matter.
Thank you so much for all your support, the opportunities, and referrals. I’m whole-heartedly grateful!
Meeting your families and loving on your babies has brought me so much immeasurable joy. I can’t wait to meet more people, make memories, and see what’s in store for Friday’s Fotography in 2023.
Newborn Photographer / Family Photographer / Tomball, Texas / Magnolia, Texas / Spring, Texas / The Woodlands, Texas / Cypress, Texas / Houston, Texas / Friday’s Fotography
