Taken by a co-worker at lunch this week. Love scarves as much as I love boots.
In the spirit of keeping things fo-reals, Fridays are going to be about me. I want my brides to know me like a friend, because when I’m shooting a wedding, I feel super-close to my brides and their family. I cry at the Father-Daughter dance, cheer when the bride and groom have their first kiss and tear up when I’m taking photos of the groom seeing his bride for the first time. The day means so much to me, and I feel so lucky to be capturing a wedding day for the bride and groom. They can re-live the day 50 years from now. Heck, I re-live the day whenever I go back and edit photos. I’ve been known to cry over moments captured in photographs…I just relive the emotion.
I’m a big dorky crier. Now the entire internet knows.
Errrr. Anyways….the purpose of this blog post.
For those that don’t know I have a full time job on top of running Candice Benjamin Photography. A little over three years ago I got my degree in Graphic Design. That very same college offered me a job in web design and I’ve been working for them ever since.
I work Monday-Thursday (and throw a few Fridays in for good measure) as a web designer. Love the job, more importantly I love the people I work with. They are friends and makes going into work easy.
Tuesday-Friday nights (8:30pm-12am) I work on Candice Benjamin Photography. I edit, return emails/calls, write blog posts, draft contracts and do other business stuff. Saturdays and Sundays I shoot weddings or portrait sessions.
Just typing that makes me worn out. But I’m working toward something greater. Something that I’m so passionate about that I can live with less now to live the life I would be proud of in a few months. Yes. I’m giving myself a deadline.
Full time wedding photography in 2011.
I’m writing that knowing that my co-workers and family read my blog, because they believe I can do it. We’re close like that. (or I’m just an open book and tell people everything even if I shouldn’t)
My brides of 2011 are special, I chat with them over dinner and tell them all my plans. They can see how excited I am about it, and they refer more brides to me so I’m that much closer to my goal. So, if you’re on the fence about me and my photography (what? Shouldn’t you already know I’m awesome? Email me and we can chat so you can jump over that fence), help me reach my goal. Become one of the 25 Brides in 2011. Become a part of someone’s dream.
Its not going to be easy, but it’s going to get done.
Much <3
Candice
YAY Candice..I was so proud of you when reading this. THAT IS AWESOME. What lucky 25 brides they are… marrying the man they love and having you document it. I will say congrats now.. because i am confident you will reach your goal!
You’re gonna do it Candice!!! Skies the limit for you, and I predict much more than 25 weddings in your future *hugs*
So exciting! 😀
Candice, you seriously inspire me. I love your work and your honesty. I, too, am working towards the same goal as you. It IS hard, but I know it’s also completely necessary to keeping me fulfilled. Photography is my love (besides my husband and daughter). Keep up your amazing work. I’m now a loyal blog follower 🙂 I wish we weren’t on two different coasts! Alison XO.