Its been a couple years since I wrote a post looking back on the previous year. But 2017 was such a whirlwind that I wanted to write a little something to remember the year I shot weddings pregnant and with a newborn.
Let me start by saying, it was an AMAZING year. But very, very challenging.
In 2016 I came up with the perfect plan where I would have a baby during late Fall AKA my “off season” so it wouldn’t interrupt my work too much. Fate had other plans, and I ended up having our sweet Dylan in the summer. Thankfully I didn’t have to cancel any weddings I booked BB (before baby), but I had to turn away a loooooot of wedding inquiries for 2017. It was difficult financially but even more so emotionally because I LOVE my job. I had to accept this would be a slower year for my business- something I consider to be the first of many, many sacrifices I’ll make as a mom. Good ol’ Fate was at it again and my amazing husband ended up with a new job + a raise in the beginning of the year, so that greatly eased our money struggles (life’s crazy, isn’t it?!) However the photography world is all about momentum and things like taking a break, moving, changing your focus, etc. basically mean you will need to start over. So 2018 is going to be the year of HUSTLING.
Because I want to spend my weekends third wheeling 😉 Like here at Nicole and Levi’s Calamigos Ranch wedding last May!
The image below was taken in June during the last wedding I shot before I gave birth… specifically, a week before. I had just been diagnosed with ICP and literally went from a hospital bed in the morning to shooting this wedding two hours away that afternoon. I had the most gracious bride & groom and a truly incredible second shooter Megan, without whom this day wouldn’t have been possible. So in case you were wondering, this is what shooting a wedding in 95º at 36 weeks pregnant looks like haha!!
And then came my first wedding post-baby. Just 7 weeks after I gave birth, I shot a 9 HOUR wedding day on the beach in Redondo. I pumped in the car twice and cried three times (#hormones). But once again I had the best couple + second shooter Jess who made everything so easy (except when they asked how Dylan was and I immediately got tears in my eyes because I missed her gosh darn it haha!)
It was freaking HARD to leave my baby that first wedding. Since then I’ve shot two more plus a bunch of family sessions and each one was a little bit easier. I actually enjoyed some “me time” at my last wedding of the year and jammed out in the car driving there and back.
In 2018 I hope to give my “first baby” (aka my business) more love and attention as I work on getting it back to a place of growth and continuing to find couples that I jive with. Like I said, its going to take a lot of hustle… but I’m up for it.
Speaking of which, if you’re planning a 2018 intimate wedding or elopement, let’s chat! 🙂
You are so inspiring!