This photoshoot was actually a giveaway and it is one of my favorite sessions to date! There are a lot of reasons as to why I did a giveaway. Mainly, I really wanted to practice film photography! I LOVE the look of film and how it teaches me to slow down during a photoshoot. I also wanted to step out of my comfort zone and practice a medium I am still very new to. I loved the results from this session and had so much fun shooting with Nicki and Mario! They had just celebrated their 1 year of marriage, so this was the perfect gift to them! :)
Shooting on film also helped me feel like I was starting something new and adding something fresh to my business. I want to grow and I want to continue to push myself creatively. As a photographer, it is so easy to get wrapped up in what I call the comparison game. I for one, am constantly comparing my work to other photographer's work and it can be super draining. I put my heart and soul into my work, which is good, but it can also be really damaging. How? Well, it is hard for me to separate my identity from my work sometimes. If someone doesn't like my style or photographs, then it feels super personal. If they don't like my work, then they don't like me. I know this may sound crazy, but it's the truth. If I were to lose or had to give up photography tomorrow... Would I be lost? Would I feel empty? Yes most likely, but I am currently learning how to separate myself from my work in a healthy way. Because my identify isn't just photography. I am much more than that. I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a running coach, a 9 on the enneagram ( haha), and SO much more. But most importantly I am a Christian and I love Jesus. I have to remember that my identity is in Jesus Christ.
If I put HIM first and remember everything He has blessed me with then I can slowly remove myself from my work and instead remember why I started shooting in the first place; because it is fun, it pushes me creatively, and I want bless others with photos they can have for a lifetime.
Film Processed by: The FindLab
Photographer: MegMarvinPhotography
