Swipe to see the photo I posted 6 years ago today with the caption “I hadn’t picked up my camera in awhile...” Little did I know that “picking up my camera” at age 15 would turn into a full-time career at age 22. Craziness!!! Sometimes I get the question “how did you get started with photography?” and I try to think of a magic formula I used or a special trick that kicked things off in the beginning. But I don’t have one. How did I get started in photography? I just STARTED. I picked up my camera after two years of it sitting on a dusty shelf in my room. I went out and took free photos for my friends and hustled to create content. I kept taking small steps towards bigger dreams...but all I did was START. If you have a dream you’re chasing or a business you want to build or a step you want to take, I want to encourage you today to just START. If you’ve been waiting for a sign or permission or someone to give you a nudge...this is it. Go out there and START. It takes one tiny step forward to begin the journey that may change your life forever. 📷 // @nataliejaynephotographyy
I was going to post a cute photo of myself today...but I don’t have one because #reallife isn’t cute sometimes 😂 This week I’m prepping for #thegatheringevent that’s happening a week from today (!!!!) and chatting with some amazing 2019 brides thinking back to how this all started. I shot my first wedding at age 17. I skipped out on some homework over the weekend to assist another photographer for the very first time. Y’all...I had never even be a wedding GUEST! I knew nothing!!! I barely even knew the difference between a ceremony and reception 😂😂😂😂 But I knew I wanted to chase this dream...and I knew we ALL started somewhere. None of us were born with the ability to create gorgeous images or perfectly navigate crazy wedding timelines. But when you want something, you hustle for it. And you do it despite your fears and doubts and the voice in your head saying “no”. You silence all the voices telling you why you aren’t good enough, qualified enough, talented enough or “ready” enough...and you do it anyway. Because you know your talents were given to you for a REASON...and this is your purpose. You were handcrafted and created with these abilities...and it wasn’t on accident. Do you remember your first wedding?! What was your biggest fear about shooting one for the first time?
My 22nd birthday was the best I’ve ever had...and it’s all thanks to the incredible people I have in my life 😭 They threw my a surprise birthday party IN MY OWN HOME (!!!) and I want to cry just thinking about it. Swipe to see the video of my reaction!!! There’s a full recap of the party on the blog this morning (link in profile!) and I can’t thank all of you babes enough: Kristen, Natalie, Erika, Josh Ryan, Brian, Jake and Morgan: I love you from the bottom of my heart ❤️
I spent the weekend on the lake with some of my absolute favorite people and it was MUCH needed. Raise your hand if you’re a lake person more than a beach person 🙋🏼♀️ But the best part? I left my phone at HOME the entire time. Starting my business at age 16 meant hustling HARD and LONG to prove myself and my abilities despite my young age. And while my business would not have been built without that hustle...I’ve learned to hustle SMART, structure my business to give me a LIFE and not prioritize emails more than people I love. It’s something that I’m still constantly working at and striving for, but saying “NO” to work distractions this weekend gave me so much freedom. If you go out to dinner or spend time with a loved one this week...I challenge you to leave your phone in the car. See how much more connection you have, how much more purposeful conversation is made and how FREE you feel from the constant buzzing in your pocket demanding your attention. Comment below with a 🙌🏻 if you’ve ever felt this way and are going to try being phone-free at least once this week! 📷 // @nataliejaynephotographyy