First I will warn you this might get long 
At first I thought I would post about the blogs I stalk and some of the photographers I admired. Then I thought I should say why I admired them and then it got me thinking about my photography and my choices on running my business and realized this would be one lengthy post.. so you have been warned lol
First the list.
Jasmine Star – She is so down to earth and shares so much of herself and life on her blog. I had the opportunity to hear her speak at WPPI this year and she was truly inspirational. Her work is beyond amazing and the story of how she became Jasmine Star the photographer is truly terrific.
Marta Locklear – I had the pleasure of taking her workshop in 2009 just a few months into my photography journey. I truly believe her workshop opened my eyes to the type of photographer I wanted to be. I also created some amazing friendships with other ladies that share my passion for photography. Her work is dreamy and her use of light is incredible.
Gina Kolsrud – Her work is beyond incredible. She turns her images into something so magical and amazing. It is unique and undeniably eye catching.
Angie Warren – Dreamy! If I had to describe her work in one word that is what it would be DREAMY! She really is incredibly sweet as well. I have had the pleasure of emailing with her on occasion and she has been very encouraging and helpful. Her work is so soft and airy just love it!!
A few others that I adore as well are
Christina Grissett
Fiona Andersen
Jessica Kettle
One thing these ladies have in common… well other then photography is they are unique. I can see an image of theirs and 9 times out of 10 know it belongs to them. Their style is their own.
I really struggled and still do quiet honestly with being true to myself and my art. Finding my distinct style. Owning it and not apologizing for it. I know I am not alone in this struggle. I think we are always evolving as artist and defining our art.. If I get to the point where I think I have it all down and have no more to learn and grow, some one please come slap me upside the head. No joke!
If you haven’t seen this video already then check it out… shoot even if you have watch it again!
Transform by Zack Arias
My thought is Zack Arias has bad spells then I will too lol To limit those times I think being true to yourself and following your passion by photographing only things that intrigue you and editing those images in a way that that makes you fall in love with the image is key. Just personal opinion of course and not everyone is going to agree with me and that is totally okay 
but if you get a call about shooting a family of 24 and you don’t like shooting large families then just say no Refer them to someone else that likes to shoot large groups and shoots them well. Oh yes I said refer them to someone else. If you don’t like shooting large groups then why would you? For the money? Shoot if that is the case and we are just doing this for the money then why not just go get a regular 9-5? Oh that’s right because we love photography. Well I want to keep it that way and that is why I limit my sessions to only a few a week and don’t photograph certain events or subjects. Am I cutting into my profit sure but I won’t ever go to a session dreading what I am about to shoot. I am staying true to myself and to my clients as well. My clients can rest assure that I am photographing them because I want to and because I truly love doing what I do.
Oh and since I am all about spilling my feelings out right now. I would love to not have the competition feel when I see other photographers lol I have a dear friend that is a local photographer here in Las Vegas ::gasp:: that is right I am good friends with another local photog. (Trisha I am so calling you out!) We refer to each other, we bounce ideas off each other and even shoot together. I don’t look at other photographers as competition. I can’t possibly photograph every person in Las Vegas… nor would I want to for that matter lol There are enough clients to go around, so note to other photogs if you want to get together and chat or go out and shoot sometimes send me an email. I won’t bite
So long story longer. Be you. Shoot for you. Don’t shoot what you don’t love and talk to other local photographers. You might be missing out on a great friendship!
