The photography industry is a unique one. There’s tons of opportunity for education, artistry, advancing technology…and there are tons of us. If you’ve read anything about the photography industry recently it probably included something about the “flooding” of photographers…and that “everyone is a photographer” these days. It’s true! How many “photographers”, professionals or not, do you know? I bet you know at least a few. With the ability to buy a “good camera”, or a DSLR, at an affordable price, more and more people are making the investment and giving photography a try. But here’s where the uniqueness comes in…

So many of those people are willing to teach others and so many are eager to learn. The photography industry is a “willing one”, with lots of photographers willing to open their businesses, their homes, their hearts and everything they’ve learned during their photography experience just to help others better themselves. It’s an exciting and interesting concept and it’s creative quite a movement of “community” throughout the industry. Such uniqueness allows our industry to continue to learn and get better, and raise our overall value as professionals. It also allows us to make some good friends and do some awesome networking. 🙂

It’s because of this unique industry that I’ve made the following friends. Kristin did a mentor meeting with me a few years ago, Marcia attended my “Cabin Fever” photog meet-up in 2013, Christine invited me to take her family portraits (and we’ve been sending each other referrals since then), and I met Laurel at the photog meet-up I had at my house a few weeks ago. I met and made friends with all these ladies through photography. Through the willingness to teach, the eagerness to learn and the opportunities of the industry. It’s always so motivating and refreshing to meet with other photographers, which I think is one of the reasons this industry continues to move and help each other. Getting together casually to hang out, talk about photography and business, and get some new head shots was an easy way for myself and these four other ladies to help each other and  ourselves. I think it’s safe to say we all learned something and we probably taught someone something else, too. We shared laughs, ideas and genuinely had a nice time together. Yay for our unique photography industry! 🙂

First up, Miss Marcia! She’s a photographer in Garrett County, just like me! I loved her outfit…

A favorite. 🙂

Now Miss Laurel. She’s a new photog in central West Virginia and is eager to learn and gain experience. This was my first time meeting her and I could immediately tell that she’s a ball of fun! I may not have captured a ton of her laughs and fun in her head shots, but I think I still captured her beauty. 🙂

I love her soft smile…

We were COLD! It was windy and in the 40s. Welcome to Garrett County, ladies!

I love the hair sweeping to the side and that light hitting it as it blows in the wind!

Kristin is now one of my main second shooters! She does a great job at suggesting ideas, looking for details and really, just being a great companion during longer trips. She’s started shooting her own weddings recently so it’s been nice to refer some couples to her and watch her skills grow!

Love these two! Pretty lady. 🙂

A favorite! Capturing laughs is one of my favorite things. 🙂

A favorite for sure!

I told you it was cold! 🙂

A quick group shot to get out some of the sillies. 🙂

And lastly, Christine. She and I refer couples to each other back and forth all the time. Her style is similar to mine and we’re shooting in similar areas. Most recently, we added Kristin to our “circle” for referrals and I’m excited to see what that will do for all of our businesses! Networking and making photog friends has definitely been beneficial to us!

Fun fact: This chair is one of two that sits in my JFP office. 🙂

A favorite! We used Kristin’s HUGE reflector here! I noticed the difference in light on her face right away! I’m not a reflector user, but I might have to reconsider.

And now for some favorites from what Christine and Kristin captured!

A BIG thank you to Kristin for capturing this shot of me! I think it’ll make an appearance on the new JFP website. 🙂

And here’s a couple from Christine!

I’m not fond of my “serious face”, but the ladies encouraged me to give it a try. This one didn’t turn out half bad! 🙂

The HUGE reflector!

Thank you for coming to Garrett County, ladies! I’m sorry it wasn’t warm, but you all were troopers! (Anything for pretty new head shots, right!?) I’m so glad to be in an industry that includes people such as you all. Let’s get together again soon!