I always get asked the two questions when I met a new client. When did you start photography and why? Today, I am going to answer both of those. Today, I am going to tell you “My Why.” First off, I started taking classes in May 2012. My husband bought me my first DSLR camera to practice on and it was my goal to actually be able to use it properly;) September of 2012 was my first engagement shoot. My best friend got engaged and crazily trusted me to take her photos! We experimented a lot and had so much fun! Over the next year, I kept taking photos for friends and family members. I actually was improving and loved learning about it in the classes I was taking.
In 2014, Stacy Kamler Photography was born! I finally made a decision to actually charge for my photos and begin to pursue this as a career. I attended a few conferences, connected with so many photographers through Facebook and continued to take classes. Also, in 2014 I was engaged. I begin searching for my photographer right away. I knew that photos were one of the most important things for me and I was willing to spend a good size of my budget on getting someone who’s work and style that I loved. After looking for months and talking to quite a few people, I had found the person that I trusted enough to take my photos. I had an exact vision of what our wedding would look like and how it would feel in my head. I thought that they would capture it perfectly!
August 15, 2015 had come and gone. It was absolutely perfect and Ryan and I had a great turn out. The venue (Bella Terra) was the perfect location for our ceremony and reception and all of our guests had a great time. Being in the photography industry myself, I kind of knew some of the procedures and time lengths that it normally takes for things to get done. I also knew that our photographer was going out of the country for a month. We finally received our gallery in October along with an email saying that we will not be receiving all of our photos due to a malfunction with the CF card. I was completely devastated. Our wedding day went by so fast and I was looking forward to looking at all the images that they edited from the beginning of the day to the reception. All those little moments that I missed out on because I was here and not there. All the images of our table centerpieces because I spent countless hours and dollars on putting them together. All of the crazy dance moves from the guests. Every time I look at the images that we did get, (which I am thankful for) I just get frustrated because of all the moments that were missed.
I completely understand that things do happen. I have had a card go corrupt on me before when were were out shooting lightning. However, there are certain things that can be done to prevent this. I strive to complete all of these measures on every single one of my shoots because I do not want any of my clients to feel how I felt when I read that email. The photos that we do have are great. Everything from our Ceremony and after is what I am missing. I am also very thankful that we were able to hire a Videographer that was able to capture some moments and send us a awesome video of some of these moments.
Now, onto My Why. Well you basically just read it, but if you would have asked me this a year ago, I would have said: “because I love capturing beautiful moments for people to have for their memories.” After my experience at my own wedding, My Why has changed a bit. Yes, I still love capturing these moments for you, but it has made me realize the upmost importance that a photographers job really is that day. These photos are the photos that you will have in your life forever. They will be the things that help you remember that specific moment in your life, how things felt, how it smelled, what it tasted like, what emotion were you feeling at that exact second. That is why I want to capture your wedding day. I want to give you the best experience possible and will strive to do so in every aspect.
Yes, I do understand people fail, we all fail sometimes. But what is important is how you prepare yourself for the day’s events and did you do EVERYTHING in your power to be the best that you be and give the best that you can give. It is also how you pick yourself up from these failures that tells you exactly what kind of person you are. I learned so much about photography during my own wedding planning process. I strive to be helpful, kind, honest, and real with you. I strive to capture emotion and moments throughout your life. I strive to be the best I can be and to get better each day.
After a year of thinking about this mistake, I have finally come to terms with my feelings and have put them towards making my own business better. I have learned how I want to treat my couples and clients. I have learned what safety procedures to use to lessen the chance of something like this happening. I have learned to be honest with my clients about what to expect from Stacy Kamler Photography. I have thoroughly enjoyed this past year working with all of my clients and I can’t wait to see where this next year will take me. My Why is an important part of who I am and how I operate my business. Some of my clients already know this about me and others do not. That is why I have decided that it was time to share this.
This is My Why.
