Hi dear readers!! I should probably warn you now—I think this post might be long, but I wanted to really be able to share with you what has been happening lately with this little business of mine. Plus, I have a huge announcement! I have been soul searching lately. Well, pretty much all the time it seems. Each morning I get up, have a huge steaming cup of coffee (or two or three), and try to brainstorm ways to better serve my clients so that I can give them an experience that they will remember forever. The products and style that I provide are a direct representation of what I want my business to be. I am here to capture memories for couples, families, and generations to come. I have devoted years to perfecting my knowledge of the gear I own, buying new gear, learning and adapting to new techniques, and reading inspirational material to be able to do what I do each and every day. It takes practice. It takes dedication. It really takes a pure and undying love for the art that I produce. I love this job of mine. I’ve had such a blast doing it that time has flown by since I started nine years ago. It is still so surprising to see how far I have come since then.

It’s true that there was once a time when I had no idea what I was doing. I thought that Auto was the best setting for a camera because it made the job easier. I believed that Manual mode was something that only fashion industry people used because they had to attach all those lights and stuff to their setup. BOY WAS I WRONG! I spent countless hours reading book after book and seeing that I knew NOTHING about what I was doing. I did take a course at my Lake Sumter State College for digital photography, though. That was actually what inspired me to buy my first camera! I learned more about how to use Photoshop in that class than how to use my camera, but that only motivated me to teach myself what I wasn’t learning in school. I have always had a good artistic eye, but when I realized that I was finally learning how to take a real photograph—and I understood the composition, settings, lighting, and all the other things that make a perfect snapshot—I knew that I was heading in the right direction.

Now we’re here. 2016. I have grown so much. I have captured countless portraits, newly engaged couples, and families celebrating the holidays. This past weekend (September 24^th) was my 35^th time capturing a couple’s most precious moments. 35 weddings I have photographed, and this past weekend just so happened to be the 7^th wedding that I have shot as a solo photographer under Casie Marie Photography. Can you believe that I have come so far? It means so much to me knowing that I have been able to accomplish something so huge and monumental for myself. I have curated a client experience that is only one that I can give. I have created close relationships with my clients and I treasure my friendships with each and every one of them! I love my couples, I love the people I work for, and I wouldn’t trade a single experience that I have had so far for anything in the entire world.

That being said, it’s time for my announcement….

I AM OFFICIALLY A FULL TIME PHOTOGRAPHER!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!!

It takes so much courage to be able to go into the only job you have ever had since you started working back in six years and give them your “two weeks.” I was so nervous—shaking, really—but I had to be confident in my decision, and I still am. I know that there will be ups and downs that accompany owning my own business, but this is the path that I have chosen for myself, and I am proud to call myself a professional photographer. Obviously, it has always been a dream of mine to make this my full-time job, but now it is time to make my dreams a reality. On September 24^th I celebrated my 25^th year on this green earth, and I knew deep down it was time for me to make some real life changes and do what I needed to do for myself and for my clients. I am so happy and so excited to see what the future holds and what kind of work I can throw myself into!

What does this announcement mean for Casie Marie Photography?

Well, to start, this means that I am going to be available for meetings, sessions, openings, bridal shows, and much, much, more during my new business hours. I will be able to truly make each client’s experience memorable and unique, and I will continue to work to make each session that I deliver into the work of art that my client deserves. I strive to make time for each of my clients; to answer emails; extend convenient office hours; create and perfect wedding day timelines; and create a style for your portraits that speaks to you! I will be doing more location scouting to keep things fresh and new, working with new vendors, getting out and meeting new people, and also working from Starbucks even more than before! There will be a constant update of new work on the blog as well—every Tuesday and Thursday I will post recent work, new stories, and maybe some behind-the-scenes shots as well! If you don’t already, I encourage you to follow me on Instagram (@casiemariephotography) because I do post updates on my Insta Story almost constantly. There you will be able to see what I am up to on a day-to-day basis so that you can get to know me personally, and also some behind-the-scenes of my sessions and weddings!

You know, this is such a big step for me. This small town girl made the move to the big city, and I am now pursuing my lifelong dream of creating art! Truth is, I went to school for Music Education, but it was never a REAL passion. It was comfortable, expected. I was always hiding the fact that I really wanted an art degree, and I still could tell you more about artists’ works hanging on a wall than I could about Beethoven or Webber. I am happy now. I am creating art, freezing special moments in time forever, making memories, and loving the job that I have more than I could have ever imagined. I want to take a moment to thank each and every person who has helped me along the way, molded my growth, and encouraged me to make this move into the full time photography world. Thank you for allowing me to have a group of creatives that are so supportive and helpful. I couldn’t do this without the kind words, and positive feedback from all of you. While I am at it, I want to thank those who trusted me to capture them way back when I had no idea what I was doing. Thank you for giving me the practice and the models to improve my skill. Thank you for letting me create memories for you to have for a lifetime. I am so humbled by the amount of support I have been given over the past nine years. I couldn’t have done this without any of you!

I am a full time wedding and portrait photographer. This is my life, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds!

-C

(Special thanks to my boyfriend for following me out into a field and shooting some portraits for me for this big announcement. I must say, I am so proud of the images you created!)