I Did It 20 Years Ago And I'm Still Doing It!
So I’m celebrating 20 years as a professional photographer! It’s a great time to sit back and reflect on this journey that I would do again.
02-02-2002 was my 1st paid photography job, Morris and Carol Capriotti’s 50th anniversary. When I think back to the people I have meant from clients to colleagues, to the memories created through photography and that I made a very good living doing what I love, I can say I am blessed.
20 years ago, digital was just being accepted in the industry which was then, pretty limited as far as actual professional photography studios. My girlfriend Debbi Wolf Caporale suggested I start a photography business. Being in sales I wondered if I could get 3 clients a week, and so it began.
To get started, thanks to my ex husband, he put out around $7000 to get this “ maybe it would work “ so I could stay at home with my 3 toddlers. My sons need the most thanks because there were many times I worked later, had clients in when it should have been their time with me, missed school things because of already scheduled appointments. But this is part of every business owner. I always say photography is 80% business, 20% photography. Anyway, I needed to learn how to correctly compose and light (thank you Nick Coury) how to use photoshop, thank you Nicky Bertonazzi, Patty Ali, Dave Junion and luckily I knew how to sell and market. I do believe that life sends you down a path and all the turns and forks in the road will all come together and bring you to what you are meant to do.
20 years ago it was easier to advertise because most read newspapers not like today where a few outlets decide what can be shown and to whom. And of course word of mouth from great clients helped tremendously. Without my clients, some became good friends too, I would have nothing. I have watched families grow, some grow apart and some have passed on. I have heard great stories, heard some sad stories and most of all through pictures, have added to their stories.
What changed the most in 20 years is how people are ok with not printing pictures. Think back how many boxes of good and bad pictures you have and the fun it is to go through them. It’s a pain to look through hard drives to find that certain picture. And I am no different, my cell phone has a few years of pictures that need to be put in a box. But if you take the time to a have a picture taken, please print it, look at it often and smile. In the end, you will be glad you did.
It took me 20 years to zero in and find what I truly love to photograph and that is women. I love posing and making them feel like models. I love the smile on their face when they see themselves how others see them. I love celebrating in their accomplishments. I love hearing the 20 year olds, the 40’s through 60’s and the fabulous iconics tell me what’s going on in their lives as I take their pictures. Most of all I love the hugs I get, yes I’m not afraid of hugs during covid, as they leave my studio.
I thank God everyday for the life he has given me and I pray it continues because it’s fun. Here’s to 20 more!