In 2013 I bought my first DSLR camera. I researched the heck out of it. I knew I didn’t need anything fancier than an entry level camera, and I ended up as the proud owner of a Nikon D3200. Shortly afterward, I invested in a 35mm lens. And that was all I needed! I went from taking it along on vacations and trips to getting up the courage to take portraits. By 2014 I was taking Senior Portraits of Aggie grads, and having an absolute blast. The crazy thing is that I had no idea what I was really doing. I was shooting in auto. And didn’t know any different. I just had an eye for angles and composition, and was getting end results that I was proud of.
That same year, one of my best friends from high school got married, and I carried my camera along to “document” the weekend as I normally did. I wore my Nikon on a chambray polka dot strap, and asked the professional photographers she hired if I could take some photos. They humored me, and said yes. They even offered to let me borrow some lenses. I politely declined, and neglected to tell them that I had no idea how to use them. But I was vocal in the fact that I knew I couldn’t afford to replace them. At the reception, one of the guys attached a flash to my camera and I went into super anxiety mode. I didn’t know how to use it. And then one guy accused me of breaking the lens. And I panicked. Turns out he just was flirting with me. Not funny.
The next month I flew back to Arkansas to take a photography workshop from the same photographers I met at the wedding. It was crazy timing, and very out of character for me to make such spontaneous plans but somehow I found a great deal on a plane ticket and my friend Kat agreed to play soccer-mom and drive me to the workshop. I thought the workshop was going to be more like “Photography 101”, but boy was I wrong. As in... I was the ONLY person there who didn’t already shoot proficiently manually. Aka-awkward. I started sweating when I realized that I was in over my head. At one point, they asked the group who shoots full-time or wants to someday shoot professionally. I was the only person who didn’t raise my hand. If there weren’t already plenty of indications that I was probably in the wrong room, this was a pretty big one.
Luckily, the photographer who flirted with me at the wedding was in charge of teaching the half of the group that was more entry-level. He kept offering to help me. And I kept taking his help. I tend to be a pretty confident gal, but I was crazy nervous because I don’t generally put myself in situations where I have the least knowledge or experience. Call me crazy, it’s just not my thing. If it were a game of dodgeball I would’ve been chosen last. Maybe even not at all. Luckily, I sat next to a girl who was super sweet and helpful, and didn’t act like I was holding her back with my questions.
The main event of the workshop was a styled couples shoot as the grand finale. It was GORGEOUS. This was our chance to take some photos for our portfolios. It was kind of funny in my head because I was like “what portfolio”? I just wanted to take cool pictures. So we get to this magical scene, straight out of a fairy tale with a perfectly decorated banquet table, intricate flower arrangements, and the prettiest bride and groom you’ve ever seen and I was pumped. I looked down to check on my camera, and to my dismay, realized that my brand new memory card had malfunctioned. Photos from earlier that day were gone. Panic set in. I was about to miss what I thought was the scene of a lifetime. Before tears could start pouring out, I asked my group’s instructor to look at my camera. He confirmed that something was definitely wrong. I could feel the tears swelling and heat spread across my face. The next thing I knew, he pulled the memory card out of his own camera, and offered it to me. I gratefully accepted. And got some amazing shots. A few days later I posted one of the photos on Instagram and commented “I’ll probably never take a photo this beautiful again...”. I look back on that and smile. Because I had no idea where I would find myself after the workshop.
Shortly after I returned the borrowed memory card to its rightful owner, he asked me out on a date. I thought it was crazy, because I lived in Texas (and hadn’t dated in over two years) so I wasn’t sure why I would go on a date with someone I would probably never see again. But he had been so sweet. And he was cute. So I went. And it was the best date ever. Because it was my very first date with the man who would become my husband. And my forever-photography teacher.
And now I look back, two years after that first meeting and I am blown away by God’s work in our lives (for about a million reasons). But to stay on topic...In two years I have come so far from being the intimidated girl who couldn’t shoot in manual who shyed away in the back of the group. I’ve learned quite a bit, grown immensely, practiced often, upgraded gear, gained a lifetime coach and together we’ve dreamed more than I could have imagined. I look back on my Instagram comment, and actually can’t believe that I never thought I would take a picture that pretty ever again. Because I’ve blown that image out of the water with some of my creative work. I say this to show you how immense Yahweh's reach is. How far He can go, how much He can move, how deep His love truly is to give us the confidence to step out in His graces and gifts. Because I believe that when you submit the gifts He's given you to His authority alone, the blessings abound. It won't always manifest in worldly ways, but it will manifest in favor.
Two years ago I was a full-time Assistant Property Manager with an intro camera and a side hobby. Today I am working as a photographer. I'm writing a book. I've found my giftings and I'm embracing my calings. I'm married to a man who makes me better. And I'm dreaming more than I ever have with him. A while back I came across this quote and I hold pretty tightly to the accuracy and parallel I’ve come to know: “I think God could untangle your soul, your story, your gifts, your people, your place, and your passions, and begin to weave it into purposes you haven’t been brave enough to imagine” (Jennie Allen, Restless).
Credit:
Workshop by Miles Witt Boyer Photographic Collective
Styled by Bates~Reed Brides
Soccer Parents and Personal Matchmakers Kat and Drew Devenport