Great things never came from comfort zones

I have always been interested in photos, whether that be taking them or looking at that. I find them interesting and the memories they provoke when looking at them are amazing. I think this stems from when I was growing up there isn't many of me when I was a child. This was probably down to the cost of things: the camera, the film and the developing the film. It all adds up and there was very little spare cash around. So I now go overboard with my photos, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in this digital age.

It is shortly coming up to a special birthday (the big 40!) and I want to go to Rome to make sure that I take amazing pictures that will last a lifetime. I asked for a photography course for Christmas, which I got. From the back of this I have been out and about practicing which has resulted in this blog and ignited something within me. I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY!

I want to create things that people love, will cherish and will make them recall certain memories that they otherwise may have forgotten.

So with that been said I got a message from a friend of Facebook that said a friend of hers was getting married and their photographer had let them down and would I like to take the photos! WOW. I was in shock. It's a big responsibility. I wasn't sure if I was good enough to take someone's wedding photos. I was months into my course and hadn't yet competed the portraits module. I WAS SCARED. What if I messed up? They would never get this day back if I did.

Anyway I took that leap and and agreed to do my first EVER wedding photo shoot. I stepped out of my comfort zone.

I did lots of research, made lists, panicked and changed my mind a fair few times. The day fast approached and to say I was nervous was an understatement. But I went in with the plan to take loads and hope for the best. There is a saying in photography that 90% of your shots will be rubbish so make the 10% count. Well I took nearly 1500 and was happy with, and the bride got 220 which is almost 15%. I surprised myself!

And this shot was my favorite of the lot.

I really enjoyed myself once I got into it and forgot about the nerves. The photos were not all perfect but I got some good shots and the bride was happy, which is all that matters.

I'm still not sure if this is the direction I want to take my photography and I did enjoy it and was glad I decided to do it.

But another one of my friends must have been as equally as impressed as she asked me to do her daughters that were to take place in 2 weeks from my first as I was still on the high from my first and successful wedding shoot and agreed.

My second wedding took place at a register office in Knowsley and came with its own set of problems as it was a gorgeous sunny day which is every brides and grooms dream but is actually a nightmare to photograph in. I wasn't has nervous this time and was more relaxed. The only thing I was stressing about was getting to the place. We set off to get there early to scout out the place. I was slightly concerned when the place was locked up.... Half a hour later and there was activity. The register office was gorgeous and had grounds that were amazing and had lots of photo opportunities.

All in all not bad for an amateur photographer.

The up shot of this is don't be afraid to try new things, step outside that comfort zone, you never know it may come of. It could be start of something amazing.

As always, thank you for reading!