Oh Loren – Four years ago…

The things you’re going to learn in the next four years.  The people that you’ll meet.  The lives that you’re going to impact.

The mistakes that you’re going to make.  The hurtful words you’re going to tell yourself.  The fear you’re going to let yourself feel.

If you knew then what this Loren knows now, four years later, you would had believed in yourself more.  You would had chased those dreams sooner.  You would have had later nights, many more blog posts, and a faster workflow.  You would had reached out to seasoned photographers sooner.  Or maybe not..because that could had changed your path crossing Kaitlin’s.  How you’ll look up to that woman.  What you don’t know is your dreams of hiring her to shoot your wedding really do come true.  So when people ask you who you’re going to hire when the time comes and your response is “If the stars align, it’ll be Kaitlin”.  Well girlfriend, those stars align.  And even Josh will be amazed at the photos Kait gets on your wedding day!

Your going to buy your first brand new dslr and think you’re the shit.  A little Canon t3 that you’ll actually shoot three weddings with.  On P.  The Loren today still shakes her head at that.  Wondering what in the world we were thinking.  Your ego grows with your next purchase of the Canon t3i, and when you buy your first full frame, the Mark ii, you pick that bad boy up, grinning like your parents bought you that pony you never got for Christmas.  Thanks again for that by the way, Mom and Kelly.  I’m still scarred by that Christmas….

You’re going to meet over 50 brides in these next four years, and where you’re standing now, you don’t fully understand your impact on their lives.  But Loren today knows that you’re giving them the gift of forever.  Your Brides are going to forever be able to remember their emotions on their wedding day because you were there to capture every moment.  You’re going to be come friends with these Ladies, and not only will you cheer them on during their life milestones, but they also cheer you on.  And they make you feel like you have several sisters, instead of just two.

You’re going to meet so many other photographers.  Many that you’ll learn from, and many that will learn from you.  You don’t realize it now, but in four years you’ll have newbies emailing you asking for help, guidance, tips and tricks.  I know you’re thinking now, “How could that be”, but you’re a great teacher.  The teaching degree you’re working on right now is put to great use in your photography business.  And in four years, you’re going to start thinking of ways to incorporate that into your business more.

I remember the nights that we doubted ourself, but Lady, I promise you that you make a name for us.  You’re going to grow in ways that you can’t even imagine.  You’ll photograph weddings that become published, that show up on national blog.  Those are our photos.  We took those!  So quit doubting us.  We do this.  And we do it well!

Love,
Loren – Four Years Later.