I remember being 16-years old sitting in a career development class at my local high school and the teacher asking us what we wanted to do with our life. We all have big dreams growing up... That 16 year old boy in me wanted to be Steven Spielberg (maybe just a more fashionable Spielberg).
Later that semester I remember taking a career test and receiving the results that read “lawyer”. And I also remember the day I shadowed a local judge as a junior in high school, I wore a suit and tie, and decided I could find other areas of my life to argue in with comfier clothes options (and far less formalities).
I remember being determined from that moment on to be my own boss.
It was that same year I got my first camera the Canon XL1! This was the very camera that filmed 28 Days Later, The Falls, War Crimes and a slew of other smaller productions. That prosumer camera was slightly out of date at the time and was considerable lacking in functionality. But I felt like the big guys in Hollywood.
Fast forward 6 years later and remember driving to my first paid shoot cluttering my brain with all the knowledge I had gained by skimming notes I had taken in the past I remember charging $600 for that first paid gig (a wedding) and thinking this is it. I’ve finally reached professional status. It was that gig that I fell in love with capturing couples true emotions of intimacy and began my career of storytelling.
For the past 5 years, I’ve poured everything I have into this business. When other guys were fixing up cars, I was saving for educational resources and gear. Sure, there have been times where I’ve doubted (and I may be fighting that temptation even as I type this). But, my prayer all along has been that if this is what Jesus has for me, may He continue to bless it. And He has. Since that initial gig my dreams began to build off of that 16-year-old boy in career development class. My goals and ambitions inspired me to curate the craft of cinematic storytelling with hopes that I might be blessed with the opportunity to travel for weddings + shoots. In the past 5 years, I’ve done just that. We traveled all over the country capturing love stories for so many beautiful couples. We’ve featured work on some of televisions biggest platforms (Fox News, NBC, CBS, CNN) and have seen our work published on countless forms/websites across the world.
In seasons where I’m full of questions and wonderings and uncertainties, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come. How even if the Lord took this business from me tomorrow, I’m so thankful and proud of how much I’ve grown over the years. I’ve even gained a wife who is the world’s best business partner, inspirational leader, and on-the-spot headshot taker. That’s another answered prayer I hold so dear 🤍
What are you hoping for? A new dream? An old dream to be reignited? For your current dream to actually work? To make an impact? I’ve been there, friend. I know how exhausting the hustle can get. Take a breath, light a candle, and talk with the One who knows your hearts desires even better than you do. There’s much, much more ahead
