Day 1 of the workshop was everything I could have imagined! We tackled the nitty gritty of the Photography Bible: Amy & Jordan's Playbook, (Watch out silver linings playbook!) honed in on our photography skills, and watched Amy & Jordan Photography in action. It was fast paced, chaotic and ever so beautiful. I watched as our simple modern classroom turned into a romantic classic atmosphere, preparing us all for one of our biggest sessions ever. But those details my friends, I will save those for another day.
Day 2 of the workshop was a photography retreat. It was a bonding experience with a bunch of new friends. We cried, laughed, and discussed the topics that are so near and dear to our hearts: our children, families & clients. The more we discussed, the more we cried. Then as Amy sat on her white chair in her denim outfit with adorable necklaces (seriously these statement necklaces adorned everyone's neck that day) she started to talk about "Heather". Tears streamed our faces as Amy cried with pride about "Heather". It was a story that is special and holds extreme value to Amy & Jordan's hearts. It was the story of their WHY.
This discussion got me to thinking. What is my WHY? I sat there in my own head questioning if I knew the answer to that question. I didn't know the answer. I had no idea why I do photography; no idea for my passion. As Amy continued to speak to my heart, my WHY started to form in my head. Amy & Jordan have a way of pulling your heartstrings, pulling the deepest thoughts and feelings out from within your soul. All of a sudden my lightbulb turned on (like Joey in Friends). The people in the next building over, those same people who flew with me to Arizona on this adventure, they were my WHY. My family, my passion for family, the depth of my love, my story, our story. These are all of aspects of my why. They are my "Heather".
You see being married to a firefighter isn't the easiest thing. It's a job in itself. Worrying when the bell rings, praying when those sirens blare, always hoping he will walk through the door at the end of the shift. It all takes a toll on you. It's a stressor. But I take relief and joy in capturing moments of my family, my girls with their dad. It's a reassurance that he is here in person, that he came home from the end of the shift. He is here to see their first words, loose teeth, and every milestone along the way. I create memories that become tangible keepsakes for him and us to look at when the job gets tough, when he comes home and kisses us a little longer and holds us a little tighter, or when he is away from us for 36+ hours. But my husband and family aren't the only ones. A lot of my clients are police, EMS, Fire dept and military. They know all too well those same feelings. For some it's just a memory, no longer a reality. But they have those photos. Photos of the good times just frozen for whenever or whatever reason, to cherish to keep a memory alive, or to use to just get through the day. That's why I do photography.
I shoot to capture those memories that people miss, or need to get them through the rough spots in life. I shoot to capture the memories the head forgets and to remember what once was because life is full of ups & downs, and when you're down you need to get back up. Let those memories lift you up. That is why. That is my WHY!
Amy & Jordan, Thank You! Thank you for helping me realize the reason for my calling. Thank you for reassuring me that I was called to do this to leave my small yet remarkable mark on the world. I cannot express to you the amount of gratitude I have for you both.
In closing I will tell you that besides my WHY, I learned three amazing and simple little words that I will use in fulfilling my WHY. It's simply the virtue of the #demoseducation.
Love And Serve. My husband, friends, family and clients follow the saying Protect and Serve. As for me I will love them, follow in the footsteps of Amy & Jordan, and I will Love and Serve!
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