I solemnly swear....

I solemnly swear to be a better blogger, facebooker, editor, and photographer! I realize that I've been quite lame at all of the above mentioned, but I'm turning over a new leaf!! Because I've decided, for now, to really learn about and study photography instead go to college, I figured I should be PROACTIVE about it! I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I've decided something. I don't want this huge business where I go out on shoots every other day with a bajillion different clients all over the place, I want to shoot once a week, and I want to know I'm giving my clients the highest quality pictures I possibly can. I already feel I've grown leaps and bounds within the past few months. I've assisted my boss, Kimberly Jarman, (who is AWESOME by the way) on many different shoots this summer, and I've learned so much from watching here! I also upgraded all my camera equipment, and editing programs. Be prepared to see a NOTICEABLE difference, people!! (Well, I hope!)

So! I want to make sure that this blog is something worth reading! On Mondays I'll blog a personal post, maybe just my random rantings, Wednesdays I'll blog a photoshoot, and hopefully I'll find another day in there to post a picture I'm drooling over, or a fun promotion, so check in at LEAST twice a week!

So, without further ado (is that spelled correctly?) Here's a personal post for today, I've actually been working on it for some time now, and I'm excited to FINALLY be posting it! Enjoy :)

All right folks, I know this isn't a personal blog or anything, but not mentioning anything of these past few months would be rather silly. Have I mentioned that in the last 5 months I've been spending nearly every weekend with a professional photographer at weddings and now come in 5 days a week because I am her office assistant? I haven't? How silly. Well, here goes.

I think it was in January, I was talking to one of my good friends late into the night. As they often tend to do late at night, my emotions bubbled to the surface and I told him how discouraged I was with photography. I rarely ever loved the pictures I took, and to be honest, I'm pretty sure my clients didn't either. I felt like I had given up on so many other things I wanted to be and do, and I was about to cross photography off on my 'quit' list. But, to sum it up in so many words, he pretty much told me - DO NOT QUIT. And although sometimes when discussions like this are had, I go 'oh that was thoughtful of them' and move on with life and just not do much about it. For some reason though, it ignited a spark in me. I could not give this up. I would not give this up.

The next week I was walking through my beloved downtown mesa, and passing by all the photography studios. I looked at the Kimberly Jarman Photography store front and thought 'someday Elise... someday....' But then it clicked. Ummm...... what am I waiting for?? Why not make someday, today? So hours later, I emailed her, pretty much begging her for any position she'd be willing to give me. An intern, a receptionist.... if she needed someone to make her coffee.... ANYTHING to get me in that studio. After I sent the email out, I forced myself to forget about it, as I usually do with things that could get my hopes up and then crash them to the floor.

......But then Monday rolled around.... And so did an email.

Turns out that Kimberly Jarman Photography did need an assistant, AND an intern. I could not have been more happy. I was doing a happy dance all week, up until the time when I actually had to meet with them, that was just nerve wracking. I remember getting ready while still at EVIT. I had to put on some makeup but not a lot. I had to wear a skirt, but not too dressy.... you'd think I was going on a date or something. I asked everyone who walked into the class room that day - 'how do I look? Would you hire me as your intern or your assistant if I looked like this?'

So I went in for the interview, and the whole thing passed in a blur. All I can remember really is my delight every time I heard Kimberly and her office manager say to each other 'She's perfect!' several times throughout the interview. By the time I walked out of that studio, I was Kimberly Jarman's assistant at her Spring Weddings, and her intern. I almost stopped traffic to announce it to everyone, I was THAT excited.

Well, a few weeks later, I started at the studio. And I found something out. I was not only in love with photography, I was in love with the business. I was in love with the sorting, the organizing, the emailing clients, the shipping process, the vendor lists...EVERYTHING.

A couple months into my internship, Kimberly Jarman's office manager quit. And, somehow, Kim decided I was going to be the one next in line for the 'throne'. So, with a little bit of nervousness I quit my other job, and took this one. Which I am SO glad I did! It is awesome going to work everyday, knowing I'm doing something I LOVE.

Kim and I on the job :)