What A Difference 5 Years Makes.

Vanessa Wells Images is 5 years old this month.  Wooo Hooo! It has been an exciting journey. I have met so many amazing people, some of the are clients and some of them are peers. I consider all of them friends.

I was so green around the gills 5 years ago, that I didn’t know what I was doing. I had been searching the internet trying to teach myself, but that was like riding bumper cars.

I was introduced to organizations like the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Metro Professional Photographers of America (MPPA) and Professional Photographers of Oklahoma (PPOK) which are great for networking and education.  It is thru these organizations that I have found many friends, some are local  and some are in other states. I have received many hours of education and learning, such as how to run a business and to be an Entrepreneur. I have learned about photography, lighting, composition and so much more.. It seem the more I know, the more I don’t know, and I want to know what I don’t know. Ya know what I mean?

In this time frame, I have studied and passed the difficult requirements of becoming a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) as recognized by PPA. I will say that, earning my CPP has been one of the highlights of my career and so rewarding for me personally and professionally.  I have entered print competition where I have earned my first merit towards my Masters of Photography Degree. The Master of Photography Degree required 25 merits total between service and image competition. They say its not the end that matters it’s journey in between. I still have a long way to go.

I get excited creating art and freezing a moment in time for my clients and to work on personal projects for me. When I am behind the lens it seems like the world stops and I don’t have a care in the world.  Photography is my JAM! it’s what I think about all the time. How to read light, move the body, how to run a business.  Photography truly is my passion and never feels like work. Photography is my JAM!

Let me freeze a moment in time for you.

The Benefits of Second Shooting a Wedding

I often second shoot for other photographers through out the year. There are many benefits to this for the primary photograph as well as for the second shooter. Assisting my colleagues so they can capture all the important memories, emotions and details for their client is the primary goal, this allows them to have a well rounded album. Second shooters can capture different perspectives of the day, such as emotions, reactions and actions which will add nicely to their day. It's always good to have a second set of eyes to catch little things that can go unnoticed, for example, phones in pockets, twisted hems, even hair that is entwined in an earring. It also allows for more coverage, both photographers can be in different locations at the same time. For example the primary photographer can be photographing the bride getting ready while the second shooter is documenting the groom getting ready. Having a second photographer can also serve as a backup in the event gear fails, the second can fill in for the primary while changing out gear should theirs fail, let's hope this never happens, but we all know Murphy's law, if it can happen it will.  You never know when a "moment" will happen and you want to be sure to capture it.

Just a thought as I prepare to second shoot this next weekend. Here are a few images of me second shooting. Enjoy.