The Start of My Photography Business

When I made the decision to start my photography business in 2011 I never dreamt I would get to where I am today. So how did I get started, some of you may be asking.

In December 2010, I had my little girl, Holly. I was a Mummy of 2 little ladies under the age of two and really didn’t want to go back to a desk job that took me away from them. A bit of back-story, I was an estate agent from the age of 17. I had worked my way up from office secretary to sales negotiator and then property valuer. Then when market crashed in 2007 I was made redundant. I found out that weekend that I was also pregnant with my first baby. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. I got a few temp jobs and after having Jessica went back into estate agency. Every day I felt like I was missing out on so much. So after I had Holly, I made the decision not to go back but what was I going to do.

I always loved photography from an early age; I get it from my dad. For both 18 & 21st birthdays I got the latest digital cameras. I used to love when I was a child (showing my age) going into the chemist with my films and waiting to get the pictures back. Something my kids will never experience. I had been taking images of Jessica and then Holly from they were born, documenting all the moments and then someone said you should turn that into a business. I had never even thought of becoming a photographer before but it sparked something inside me.

I took a few workshops and upgraded my camera, then set up my Facebook page. This was the best decision I made in my whole life. It’s like I had found what I was meant to be doing.

When I started, I had always the intention of only offering family and kids shoots but after a bridal shoot, I fell in love with the idea of wedding photography. I attended a dedicated wedding workshop, got my first wedding booking and I have never looked back.

Seven years later, I have built a business that I am very proud of and continuing to grow. I work from my home, which means I can collect the girls from school each day, unless shooting a wedding, and they stay with their Granny. I work the hours around family life. I have the most amazing clients and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

As with everything photography is always changing. There is more learning and growing to be done. I continue to attend workshops and invest in online courses, learning so many new skills for my future clients. My passion will never die for photography and my business; there is something different every day.

So that’s a little bit of how I became a photographer and why I started my business. I used to say photographer very quietly when people asked what do you work at. Now I hold my head high and tell people without being asked proudly that “I am a professional lifestyle wedding and family photographer and I LOVE IT”.

One of my favourite quotes and you will see it on my site is
“Dreams do come true, if you have the courage to pursue them” Walt Disney

My passion is helping me achieve those dreams.

Love
Melissa xx