Ok you guys, lets strap in here for a little walk down memory lane. Picture this; cute, little baby, 15 year old Whitney - who, after months of researching cameras and babysitting, has saved up enough money to buy a DSLR. This was the biggest purchase I had made in my life so far. I eagerly awaited the day for my Nikon D40 to arrive. Tracking the package everyday like a crazy person. When it was delivered I opened the box and carefully emptied it's contents onto my bedroom floor. This was it. This was going to change my life. Now, before I get too dramatic, I had no idea how to use this thing. As embarrassing as it is to say aloud, I did not switch the setting off of "Auto" until years later. Seriously. I cringe just thinking about it. This was smack in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. I'd pull it out occasionally and make sure every birthday was documented, but I didn't start getting serious about photography until just before my senior year - when we all needed senior pictures. 

   At my high school, senior pictures needed to be submitted to the yearbook by like November/December-ish. (I can't remember the exact time frame, I just remember it being rainy, wet, cold and before the new year) The opportunity presented itself when my best friend, Amanda, asked me to take her senior pictures. She was my very first client and the first non-family member who really cheered me on. We designed her shoot to be all about her - meaning we had to include her pink windbreaker and her impressive collection of Nike's. After taking Amanda's pictures, my wonderful and supportive friends; Reanna, Stephen and Chandler jumped on board and hired me for their senior pictures as well. 

     Now, I'm about to share with you these photos at the beginning of my career. This is not to mock, but rather, to educate.  I love my friends deeply and looking back at them now, am so embarrassed they even paid me. But at the time, I was so so so proud of my work. flipping though the yearbook and seeing my work in print was easily one of the best feelings I have experienced. 

(Before you all start laughing - selective color was cool in 2010!)

     I had also started to branch into family photography - complete with taking my own family pictures and not knowing about "2 - second delay" when using my remote control that you can clearly see in my hands. ha. 

     As cringeworthy as it is to go back and look at really old work, it's important to see the growth. I put hours into learning my craft - to finally switching my settings off of "auto," and learning how to communicate with my camera and tell it how I wanted the image to turn out - not just spray and pray! This is to everyone out there who wants to learn a new craft; don't give up! Don't quit! Keep trying and invest time into learning this new skill. It takes time and believing in yourself. The only person who you should compare yourself to is who you were yesterday. So that one day, you can go from the pictures above, to a thriving photography business where you are proud of each shoot and continuing to grow and better your craft. You got this. 

© Whitney Beth Photography © Whitney Beth Photography

     There is always room for growth. There is always room for improvement. Look at how far I've come. To anyone learning a new craft here is my advice for you: 

1. Don't compare yourself to anyone but your past work

2. Find a mentor to help teach and encourage you.

3. Never stop learning.

4. Practice every single day. 

5. Don't be too hard on yourself - keep the joy and passion alive and momentum will follow.