Jennifer Brown Photography

Knoxville Wedding and Family Photography Blog

Jan 17 2012

Success what?!

This year one of my resolutions was to journal more – or write more. It always seems to remind me of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I want to go next. Not only that, I also can see where God is working in every single entry. After reading last year’s entries I realized that it was a tough year for me. I was not at peace with myself, and felt as though I was a slave to my business. Always looking at other photographer’s work and wondering if I would ever be as successful. How idiotic is that?! How could I ever compare my photography journey to someone else’s?!!! Every single person has a different definition of what success is. All I need to do is figure out my definition.

In a society where it is expected that to be successful you must be young, beautiful, extremely skinny, and rich, it is easy to see how a person can loose sight of what’s really important. Those things are only a brief version of success. You will inevitably get older, eat a cupcake, and spend too much cash. I’m looking to define a longer version of success. One that includes joy, love, forgiveness, happiness, experiences, and good hard work. I don’t want an end result of one ultimate success and that’s it. I want more than that. After stepping back and looking at my life, I feel like I’m on my way. Here are just a few of the things I’ve accomplished::

I am a child of God, forgiven by grace, and saved by mercy!!!
I’m married to one of the hardest working men I have ever met. I believe he truly loves me, is my best friend, and is my biggest supporter. He believes in me when I don’t, and is pretty funny, too!
Every morning I get to hug the neck of a little boy who calls me Mommy. He is, by far, the greatest gift Sean and I have been blessed with. Wade is my heart and soul.
I am seriously blessed to do what I do. I have ~~a job~~ two jobs. One gives me the peace of mind I need for health benefits and the ability to focus on what I love, and the other is my passion. I love both, and feel like I have been given wonderful opportunities to grow and take risks. It is amazing!!!

I’m so excited for this year, for all of the journeys I will get to experience, and can’t wait to read my entries from the entire year. The victories, the failures, and everything in between. Let’s go!!!

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by Jennifer

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Jan 16 2012

Taking a Back Seat from Being the Lead Wedding Photographer

Posted in Wedding

Last year one of my goals was to second shoot more. Well… Second shoot period. I don’t typically assist other photographers, so I felt like maybe there was something I was missing. Or something that I didn’t get to experience because I always had to make sure to get the “safe” wedding shots. I wanted to be able to assist and learn from another photographer while at the same time getting the chance to try a few things out that I normally wouldn’t be able to do. So of course when Nashville Wedding Photographer, Wendy Cunningham, posted that she needed a second shooter for a wedding close to Nashville, I was all about it. I messaged, emailed, everything, but knew that someone much closer would probably beat me to the punch and get the spot. I know that opportunities such as this don’t just fall into my lap, but when I read the first email from her, I felt like I won the jackpot. She wanted me, and we were both excited for the opportunity.

When the day came to drive out to Gallatin – right outside of Nashville – to the Pick Inn, my nerves were all over the place. I was so excited, anxious, and nervous. I had briefly met Wendy at PASS Premier in Nashville in July, but I had no idea what it would be like to work with her. I knew somehow some way, I would end up embarrassing myself – probably by tripping over my own feet. What would she think of me then?! As soon as I pulled up the Pick Inn, and saw Wendy on the front porch waving at me, all my fears quickly left. Lucky for me, she is exactly the same online/phone/relaxed environments as she is in person. Sweet, warm, and laid back. You know, the kind of person that you meet for the first time but feel like you’ve known them forever. Yep, that’s her, and I immediately felt at ease and quietly asked where I should start.