Bri

Getting to work with new people is always a fun time... but a nerve wrecking one as well. I was so excited when I found out that I would be able to take new photos of Bri for her portfolio shoot, but then it dawned on me that I had never met her before. We are friends on Instagram but can you really be friends with someone via social media? Not really. I also learned that Ivory would be coming down to help style Bri as well. Now, you may be wondering who exactly are Ivory and Bri. Well, they are two other models that are signed to the same agency as I, JEA. Although, we are all models, we all have different talents that we want to explore. Bri wants to build her portfolio book, Ivory wants to style clothes, and I want to grow as photographer.

I've kind of been debating if I really wanted to pursue photography as a job or continue it as just a hobby and I think I am somewhere in the middle. Don't get me wrong I absolutely enjoy the balance of freelancing. It's so much fun to be able to create my own hours and have a blast being creative. The only problem is, I don't want to lose that creative spark and that has happened in the past.

I feel like doing test shoots like this helps with that dilemma. It's slowly teaching me that jobs can have a structure but also be creative as well. I am extremely proud of how my photography has grown in a couple of months. I've been able to make connections doing something that I love and that is rare. I think if I am able to get a couple of more shoots under my belt the nerves will start to go away and I will be able to have more confidence in my work. This was one of the first times I photographed someone that I wasn't friends with or related to. It's always scary to attempt something new for the first time, but I think we all did a pretty good job.

I am so happy with how the pictures have turned out! They are different than what I am normally use to shooting, but I am starting to love all the new challenges I am being met with. It's growing my skills as a photographer and I am grateful for that.