Portfolio: Teaching

I love teaching photography just as much as I love taking photos! Check out my workshops and mentoring opportunities. This could be you! If this gallery doesn't load (or if you want to see the images in other sizes), you can view it here.

More portfolio categories:

Families |  Kids |  Babies and Toddlers | Newborns 

Seniors and Teens | Couples | Maternity | Headshots
Designs and Special Edits | Teaching

A Real Photographer | Roswell GA Family Photographer

When I was just starting out in photography, I was a little hesitant to tell people as was a real "photographer," not just a mom with a camera. Not that there is anything wrong with being a mom with a camera, especially if you are interested in learning (because I'd love to teach or mentor you). But I wanted to be more

Now, I easily say I'm a photographer, and it's not because I wasn't a good photo-taker when I started. It's because I'm confident in being an entrepreneur and owner of a small business. That's taken a lot of work over the years: the permits, the business license, the insurance, and the taxes that come with it aren't the easiest parts of running Butler Family Photography. Believe me, I'd rather be shooting. But it means a lot to me to be doing this work legally and securely so that my clients can be confident that their portraits are being done by a professional.

Here are some portraits from the fall. I love this family and their boys. What I remember the best from this shoot is how mom and dad were especially glad that I had a boy of my own with the same kind of energy as their oldest. They knew I'd be able to keep up with him!

 

Looking Back

A few days ago, one of my friends mentioned she would like to frame a picture I took of her and her son. They modeled for one of my portfolio-building projects when I was first starting. At home, I dug through my archives to find the original images I gave her. The originals show some of my strengths: a strong sense of composition, use of back-lighting, and okay (though not perfect) use of background. 

They also show a lack of some of the things I would eventually acquire through the years: better lenses and camera equipment, more advanced understanding and use of light, and professional Photoshop editing skills. Just for fun, I re-edited a couple of the shots to where I was comfortable with their quality. I don't know which one she'll frame, but I think either will look wonderful!

When I first started as a photographer, I knew I had an eye for it, and I loved making those images for families. I knew I could learn the rest. And I have, and I am still learning. It's a vital part of my growth in this business.

I've also realized how much teaching contributes to my love of this art. So, as this year unfolds, I'm looking forward to holding more DSLR and point-and-shoot camera workshops as well as online/phone and in-person mentoring sessions with aspiring photographers. I've come a long way, and I've been in the same spot as those beginning and intermediate photographers. I'm excited to guide them in their journey.