Sky Blue Iris Photography » job http://www.skyblueiris.com Portland, Oregon Wedding and Commercial Photography Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:45:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Reflections on Wedding Season 2010 http://www.skyblueiris.com/2010/10/14/reflections-on-wedding-season-2010/ http://www.skyblueiris.com/2010/10/14/reflections-on-wedding-season-2010/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:26:12 +0000 Justin http://www.skyblueiris.com/?p=244 As my camera sits on it's shelf, resting and recuperating from shooting close to 25,000 images this year, I'm reassured by the progress Sky Blue Iris has made in 2010. I know that I'm a new business and that I have a long way to go, but it feels like I've come a long way already.]]> Last weekend, on 10-10-2010, I shot the last scheduled wedding for 2010. I booked 23 weddings, 22 of which I personally shot (thanks Alex for working with me), and I learned more about weddings, photography, creativity, editing, business, stress, and Rock Star energy drinks than I ever though I would. I also met 25 wonderful couples who thought enough of my still-blossoming work to have me at their wedding climbing on things, dodging guests, kneeling in the mud, making their faces hurt from smiling and eating from their buffets.

Some things that surprised me about wedding photography:

  • Editing takes 3 times longer than shooting. If I’m at a wedding for 8 hours, I’m sitting in front of the computer for 24. Usually in the middle of the night.
  • When shooting the couple at the altar from the center aisle there will inevitably be a guest who crosses their legs and hangs their foot into the aisle, which gets in my shot and makes me grind my teeth.
  • The words “I Do” have the magical ability to alleviate almost all stress from a bride
  • No matter how fresh a flash’s batteries are, they will always get tired at a critical moment like a cake feeding or bouquet toss.
  • DJs are contractually obligated to play a Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” when calling “all the single ladies” to the floor for the bouquet toss.
  • DJs are also required to play either Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got a Feeling” or Chris Brown’s “Forever” at every wedding, regardless of the style of music featured during the rest of the reception.
  • This IS the best job I’ve ever had.



    • It hasn’t all been unicorns and cupcakes though; it has been a struggle and there’s always the thought that I should have stayed at my day job or that no one will ever call me again to book a wedding and I’ll have to start from scratch at Burger King or something. But I look back over my shots from this year and I see myself getting better, I see consistency and confidence developing and the flow and progression of a wedding is familiar and comfortable. I’m finding my niche in the industry; I’m recognizing the traits of other photographers that I want to emulate, and I’m noticing the places where I want to stand apart.

    As my camera sits on it’s shelf, resting and recuperating from shooting close to 25,000 images this year, I’m reassured by the progress Sky Blue Iris has made in 2010. I know that I’m a new business and that I have a long way to go, but it feels like I’ve come a long way already.

    Thanks to: Erin & Josh, Teuila & Viliam, Melissa & Aaron, Tiffany & Bill, Allison & Jon, Stephanie & Casey, Karen & Adam, Mary & Ari, Tammy & Marcus, Jennifer & Neil, Alicia & Adam, Kari & Dan, Anna & Matt, Kristin & Tim, MaoMao & Heidya, Brittney & Jacob, Allison & Ryan, Brie & Ryan, Melissa & Jason, Danielle & Grant, Clairissa & Robert, April & Eric and Hayley & Dan.

    See you in 2011!

    ]]>     http://www.skyblueiris.com/2010/10/14/reflections-on-wedding-season-2010/feed/ 2     Achievement Unlocked: Self Employment by Age 30 http://www.skyblueiris.com/2010/07/22/achievement-unlocked-self-employment-by-age-30/ http://www.skyblueiris.com/2010/07/22/achievement-unlocked-self-employment-by-age-30/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:47:32 +0000 Justin http://www.skyblueiris.com/?p=53 2 years ago if you'd asked me where I'd be in 5 years I'd have probably started openly weeping.]]> Sooo tomorrow’s my 30th birthday and aside from all the various other feelings that arrive with that (read:my god I’m old) there is one feeling that I don’t think I’ve associated with a birthday since I was 7 and got a Sharkticon and my friend Kenny didn’t…

    Pride.

    sharkticon Achievement Unlocked: Self Employment by Age 30

    Nana-booboo, Kenny.

    (Also a hunger for cake… but anyway)

    See, last year when I started Sky Blue Iris, and after enough time that I knew it was something I could see myself doing as a career, I set the goal that I would quit my day job and become a professional photographer full time by my 30th birthday. Well, as of April 30th of this year I left the day job and I’m actually achieving a goal that’s more ambitious than making sure the recycling makes it out on recycling day.

    2 years ago I had no idea what I wanted to be “when I grew up”, I was working at a job that paid me but didn’t inspire me, interest me, or challenge me, and if you asked me where I’d be in 5 years I’d have probably started openly weeping.

    dawson Achievement Unlocked: Self Employment by Age 30

    bbbbbbhuuuuuhhhuuhhuhh

    Now, time will tell if I made the smart move or if my family and I will be eating beans out of a tin can, but right now I’m feeling pretty good about this. I love the work, my clients have all been happy (at least they pretended to be :/ ) and I’m developing a network of like-minded people who’ll show me the ropes and also how to tie them to things.

    Life is good and getting better. Hooray for me.

    ]]>     http://www.skyblueiris.com/2010/07/22/achievement-unlocked-self-employment-by-age-30/feed/ 1