To say this year has been a challenge would be an understatement. I've learned, I've lost & I've made so many new great new friends. I am so thankful for this first full year in business & I am so excited to see what 2019 holds.
This year alone, I have had 50 sessions - 12 of which were weddings & 9 boudoir sessions. I think that is the most I have ever shot in my life as a photographer - no wonder my computer is so slow! I am proud of myself that I made it - it was NOT easy. There was a lot of challenging things to happen that have helped me grow as a photographer, including finding my style & who I want to show the world who I really am. I already have a bunch of sessions planned for the New Year, kicking it off with a Valentine's Day Boudoir Marathon in a swanky AirBnb - the first time I've rented a location for something like this. I'm so excited I could poop sparkles!!
Finding my true self has always been a challenge but I did it for my sanity. Finding my style was something I would struggle with & lets be real, I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT, but I pride myself on staying true to the true tones of the real world, capturing your genuine emotions & having you look like the beautiful person on the inside as you are on the outside. You won't see no plastic surgery up in this biznatch! No, I will not photoshop you to make you thinner. Embrace your body that you were born with! You are a fierce queen & you should embrace it!
I will be slowing down in 2019 to take some time to myself, as well as stepping a little bit out of the photography scene. I tried my best to build my business, pushing myself & I think I may have pushed myself to the point where I can't handle myself as a person. I will still be working, but I will be working on side projects to build my portfolio up a little more hopefully working with a few more creatives in the process. I am also going to be working on better marketing strategies to reach the people that appreciate the time I take & the art I create, but more importantly, I want to get back to who I was before - business can change a person you know. The stress of trying to get noticed in a city full of other photographers is something I definitely knew would be hard, but I refuse to give into the devaluing of myself & the professionals in this city. Pricing myself so that it makes it all worth it, being able to cover my expenses but still also being able to afford to have a roof over my head, is something that I have calculated & let me tell you, I have to charge a HELL of a lot more than $50 to make a living.
Wedding season was a complete new thing for me. I got to work with some amazing photographers & I can say I am so excited for next years wedding season! I hope to meet & work with new photographers as well as new couples! I am excited to have one wedding booked for next year that will be bringing me to the GTA, something I have been wanting for so long! But you wanna know something funny? I actually never wanted to be a wedding photographer. 😱I know, I just let the cat out of the bag. If it wasn't for a few friends & a great team to work with this year, I would have never considered it. I wanted to try it this year & I absolutely fell in love after the first wedding. I am grateful to be able to have worked with Pam & Melissa of Direct Your Focus Photography & for taking me under their wing letting little old Leesa show what she's got. It was the best & I'm excited to be working with them next year too!
I also have to give Sophie Fortier of Sophie Fortier Photography a HUGE shout out for being my rock. I honestly have no idea how I would have made it without this chick. She always has the right thing to say, lets me vent till my hearts content & is probably just as crazy as I am. I mean, who else would plan a styled wedding shoot with mother freaking ALPACA'S?! We sure as hell would! I love you to the moon & back girl! Thanks for legit, everything. I don't know what I would do without you! My cold black heart thanks you.🖤
Now for the main reason of this post, with a whopping 7775 likes, MY TOP 9 OF 2018! Thank you so much for everyone's amazing support over this past year - you are the main reason I am where I am & I wouldn't have this experience without you!
XO Leesa