I feel like my journey to becoming a full time Philadelphia wedding photographer/boudoir photographer has been outside of the photographer-norm. A lot of wedding photographers start their businesses as a second career after falling out of love with something totally different. 

For me… yes and no! 

I’ve always wanted to be a wedding photographer, and I went to school for photography, but then I had a corporate job that was photography related but not, and then… 

Well, let me just get into it! 

A little Philadelphia wedding photographer in the making…

I was always obsessed with taking photos. I loved how photos froze a moment in time, something we could never have back – but instead could have as a beautiful memory. 

When I was younger, I loved photographing the landscapes that surrounded me. It was a quiet love from inside the car, pointing my camera out the window or just photographing everything around me. I cannot tell you how many times I would hand my camera over to my dad and he would say “Where did you take this?!” and I would literally point out to the sky and say “Right now . . . out the window.” 

I think the passion came from the way I saw the world. I always wanted my life to be a movie. So, the only way I knew how to make that happen was to capture everything and anything. Those beautiful moments in the sky and the architecture that others may overlook… seeing it all in a different way. 

The passion to photograph people and document the small moments did not come until I was a junior in high school. I think the passion had always been there, but it wasn’t until then that I felt the fire burning inside me. I took some photography classes – and I enjoyed it so much that I decided right then and there that this was what I was meant to do. 
Which sounds crazy now: an 18 year old deciding what they wanted to do with the rest of their life! But that was me: I was a Philly girl who wanted to be a Philadelphia wedding photographer – to capture the most special moments and the love that people shared.

Being a wedding photographer isn’t acceptable?

At least according to some of my professors, but let’s double back. 

I decided to pursue photography, and that means art school. And art school means you’ve got to be able to draw better than the average person. So, I worked really hard to build up my portfolio by taking all of my prerequisites at the Community College of Philadelphia (which, by the way, has an amazing art program!). 

I toured a few really great art schools in the Philadelphia area – Tyler School of Art, Moore College of Art, The Art Institute, and finally The University of The Arts. Although each of them were amazing in their own ways – I knew once I walked into The University of The Arts that I would do ANYTHING to be there! I put  all my eggs into one basket (as my mother must’ve said 5,000 times to me), and banked it all on The University of The Arts. And…

I was accepted! And even offered a great scholarship! I had some amazing experiences during my time at UArts and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend such an incredible school and learn from exceptionally talented professors. But there are a few things that I wasn’t prepared for during my journey into art academia: 

First – the critiques (AKA CRITS) – were very tough. No joke – I still get the sweats when I think about my first one. It can be really hard for any artist to hear critiques about their work. Art is so personal, so subjective. But the professors didn’t hold back – and I know that’s their job. But damn, that shit can HURT. 

Second – it’s so competitive! I’ve always been a competitive person: I played soccer my entire life until a career-ending injury took me out of the game. But let me tell you – competition was on another level in art school. 

Third – there’s no “A” in art. The idea that “art can never be perfect” was really taken to heart in school. So, you couldn’t get an “A” – no matter what. At one point, my work was being used as a primary example for other students, but that piece still didn’t qualify for an “A.” 

Long story short – once I graduated from UArts I had zero desire to pick up a camera again. I was deflated. I didn’t feel like I had what it took to make it in the photo business. And becoming a wedding photographer was NOT an acceptable thing when you went to art school – or at least that’s basically what was drilled into my brain…

I worked in… advertising

Yes! You heard that right! I was working in advertising – corporate america, ya know… what you’re supposed to do? 

And I was still doing photography, but honestly most of my day was spent in Excel. I always struggled with math, and there was way more math in that job than I wanted to do in a lifetime. I was lucky that my company did use my photography skills by asking me to take the company’s branding photos and corporate head shots, as well as stills for their social media accounts. In fact, one of my photographs ended up on the cover of AD News Philly!

So some cool moments here and there. I wouldn’t say it was difficult work, but it wasn’t fulfilling by any measure.

So what was the big push to do something else? Pregnancy! Haha – I knew once I got pregnant that I would not return. I used this huge life change to finally leave that job and tap back into what I was truly passionate about…

Going from side-hustle to full time Philadelphia wedding photographer…

As it is for so many people, my wedding photography business started as a side hustle, and it wasn’t until my second born was 6-months-old that I decided to take the leap and really give it a fair shot. I had been a stay at home mom for over 2 years, and even though being a mom is my favorite job – I desired something for myself. Something that I felt passionately about, to be “mom” and more.  

My children are honestly the reason why I decided to go full time as a wedding photographer. After all, how can I tell them they can be/do anything they set their minds to if I’m not willing to try myself?! My husband was so supportive and is still my biggest cheerleader. That final push had me diving straight into the deep end: going full time with my Philadelphia wedding photography business and finally pursuing my childhood dream. 

Living the good life…

I’m just wrapping up my first year as a full time wedding photographer, it honestly feels surreal. I really wasn’t sure I would ever get here. It’s been amazing to watch my business and community grow, and I’ve never felt so loved and supported. 

An unexpected and beloved bonus has been the community of followers and other photographers that has grown on my Instagram. I remember thinking how strange it was that I had so much love and support from people all over the world who didn’t even know me – and it’s been such a beautiful thing to experience.

I’ve built a brand, a website, a following, and now a blog! There are so many amazing things going on – it’s hard wrap my head around! I feel so incredibly thankful to have this opportunity and to have had the chance to meet and work with so many beautiful people. And the best part is that I still get to be a full-time present mama to my kids. 
Being a Philadelphia wedding photographer has been my dream job for as long as I can remember.  The small giggles/laughs I would hear when I mentioned what I wanted to be when I grew up, along with the “Yeah, but like a real job..”, used to fuel my fire. Honestly – they still do. I know some people don’t believe being a wedding photographer is a “real” job, but it’s more real than anything I’ve ever done.

What’s next for me…

I have BIG dreams and BIG goals for my wedding photography business: 

I’d love to build a team that will help me elevate to the next level in terms of wedding/self-love/boudoir photography. I want to continue doing Philadelphia based wedding photography AND travel for weddings and elopements. I want to own a large studio where I can make the space my own. I plan on attending a photography retreat this year. I want to continue to help women see themselves how beautiful they truly are. And above all, I want to practice a healthy work/life balance and be present for my children while they’re still young. 

The future is so bright, and you guys know that I’m beaming ear to ear. 

If you are looking for a Philadelphia-based wedding photographer and/or boudoir photographer and you think we’re a vibe, reach out! I’d love to hear all about you and your big plans, and be there to make your beautiful memories last a lifetime.