I can vividly recall a conversation with my Dad just as I was about to embark on post-college life, where dreams felt not only permissible but attainable.  I shared my longing to play music not in churches, as I had otherwise grown so accustomed, but in the places least suspecting to hear truth.  Bars, festivals, and the like.  And so my journey towards successful recording, touring artist began, although as any story surfaces, you find the snags in your overly ambitious, dreamlike state of mind.  

Not only did my determination towards performing artist success become overrun by ticket sales, quality of venues, and quantity of shows, but in the hustle I lost my fervor for the audience as individuals and dedication to the development of my craft.  

Photography has taken on its own unique story, and my lack of desire to make it a full time pursuit has alleviated some otherwise defeating temptations around self-worth, yet the journey has still left me comparing myself to other photographers, seeking out easy ways to get better faster, and measly attempts at a semblance of a business plan in hopes that the inquiries will start magically pouring in. All distracting me from what is most essential to any artist, or rather, any pursuit; my growth as a photographer.

Perhaps not in music or photography, but have you ever found yourself here? Whether in a hobby or a profession, where the focus all too easily becomes on the attention our work is getting, or the effort shifts from growth in your passion to knowledge of the industry. A knowledge that is necessary to an extent, but the areas of teachability become confined to the perfect marketing platform rather than the passion itself.

I believe we are good at telling ourselves we’re okay with not growing significantly in a passion because we don’t intend on going full time with it, or any time for that matter, when really our limited intent serves as an excuse for being mediocre.

At least that has been the case for me, and as I continue to discover my ‘why’ behind photography, I have the choice to ward off an otherwise all too easy snare.  Simply stated, I need to keep taking photographs before I need the perfect newsletter.  

I recognize we’re in a bit of an odd time for photography, as the instability of our job market on the whole makes this boutique service rather superfluous.  And needless to say, some would still rather not have a masked photographer close enough to capture those intimate moments.  Although to not develop in my craft would be a disservice to not only my art, but to the families that entrust me with an heirloom quality collection of images in the days to come.  

You need me to be good at what I do, and not by accident.

So with a nod to the need to continue developing our passions, no matter the adversity (in my case, photography ceasing to exist for the time being), I don’t want to stop taking photographs and am excited to be offering ‘Pay-What-You-Can Sessions’ in these summer months. Although limited, I truly hope this offering will mean allowing those families that have drawn close in this time together at home to celebrate otherwise difficult circumstances, particularly if such adversity has impacted your finances.

You are the foundation upon which my art form has been laid, and I am eager to continue serving you with the images that will be worth sharing with your children’s children.

– Jennifer