Morgan and Collin showed up with a plan to take their engagement photos to the next level. Morgan was a bridesmaid for Sarah and Ben, and she had also helped with Sarah’s bridal session. She knew that she wanted something different than the norm. When she told me that her dad owns a bike shop and that she would like to use some vintage bicycles and cowboy boots in the shoot, my mind immediately envisioned them in the country with golden Texas light. Morgan and Collin are totally in love and we had a great time wandering through the weeds laughing and taking photos. I’m excited for their wedding this Spring!

A lot of aspiring photographers ask me for advice on getting started in the photography business. They see photographers traveling the world, partying, and getting paid to live their hobby. The obvious answer is to work hard on putting together a quality photography portfolio. But even if you take the most beautiful photos any human eye has ever seen, if you don’t have direction on how to market, sell, network, delegate, book keep, and provide customer service, your business won’t go very far. This is where I would direct you to the experts in small business. Here are two great opportunities coming up for aspiring photographers, photographers who need help, and non-photographers who want to get their business started on the right foot in 2010.

Stacy Reeves is a fantastic Dallas/Fort Worth area photographer who has her business figured out better than most people twice her age. She has put together a pricing guide that has become the pricing philosophy of hundreds of photographers across the country. Stacy has announced her first Mind Your Business workshop on January 24th with limited seating. This workshop will be invaluable in getting your business on the right track towards being profitable. Please visit her Mind Your Business workshop page to find out more and to register.

Sage Wedding Pros is a wonderful resource dedicated to helping wedding pros have smarter businesses. One of my preferred wedding planners Kelly Simants with Sweet Pea Events is a cofounder of Sage and will be a featured presenter at the upcoming national tour of The Simple Plan workshop. Kelly and the other speakers will help you create clearly defined goals and a strategy for your business, giving you a better chance at success. Please visit Sage Wedding Pros The Simple Plan workshop page to find out more and to register.

If you are contemplating starting a business or if you need help with the direction of your business I would highly recommend that you take advantage of one of these opportunities.

When I got the call from Ashley asking me to photograph her and Paul’s wedding I was both excited and nervous. I have known Paul since he was in elementary school and I was in middle school. I also graduated in the same class with Ashley’s sister. Not only that, but Paul’s parents, Pastors Billy Joe and Sharon Daugherty had been my pastors at Victory Christian Center for 13 years while I lived in Tulsa. And as a graduate of both Victory Christian School and Victory Bible Institute, their family has meant a lot to me.
The wedding was a particularly beautiful and emotional celebration for many reasons. Thousands of people who have watched Paul and Ashley grow up came to support them as they walked down the aisle together. Two weeks prior to the wedding Pastor Billy Joe was diagnosed with Lymphoma, however he was able to be there and perform the ceremony for his son. A little over a month later on November 22nd, Pastor Billy Joe passed away. It was an honor to know Pastor and to be a part of the final time he would address the congregation of Victory as a proud father marrying his son.
Those that know me, already know that I am a softie but I was fighting back tears of my own as the crowd erupted in applause as first Paul walked down the aisle with his mother Sharon, then stood clapping for Ashley as Paul saw her in her dress for the first time and finally as Pastor took the stage to perform the ceremony.
Ashley and Paul, congratulations and thank you for asking me to be a part of this wonderful day. I’m excited for your future together!

Location: Victory Christian Center
Floral and Event Design: Ceremonial Blessings
Big shoutout to Jared Rey for coming to Tulsa with me and doing a fantastic job with Paul and his guys and helping me tell the story.

After the wedding we wrapped up the day in downtown Tulsa to get some photos of Ashley and Paul together.