You might have noticed that there haven’t been any wedding posts on this blog since the beginning of the year. I have officially come to a decision to no longer makes wedding photography a focus in my business. There are so many reasons for this, but what it comes down to is that my heart is just not in it. When I started taking weddings, I expected to love them. They scared me a little, but I was determined to overcome that. I jumped in, and I did get over that fear- but I was also overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted every time I shot one. I hated spending 10 or more hours away from my precious family. I would get awful stress-induced migraines before, during and after the big day. I told myself I’d get used to it, and that it would be worth it.
But lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and re-thinking where I am headed in my career. I have been working through Angie Warren’s Fly Guide, which speaks so much to my artist heart. One day it came to me, so clearly: I am not a wedding photographer. There are people who are crazy passionate about shooting weddings. They thrive on the adrenaline and fast pace of it. I’m simply not one of them, and I’ve come to see that it is okay. My passion is elsewhere, and life is far too short, and the variety of genres within photography too numerous, for anyone to be doing something they don’t love. While I do hope to shoot a few particularly small outdoor weddings here and there, when the couple and their vision are a good fit with me- it is no longer a focus for my business. I feel such a lightness and relief in that decision.
What I am passionate about is fine art lifestyle portraiture of artists, families, and couples in love. That is the heart of Hannah Mayo Photography.
This leads me to tell you about Beloved, something I have been learning and will be bringing into every session I shoot. Beloved is an experiential technique that makes every session an unforgettable celebration of love and connection. Originally developed for couples by photographer Jesh de Rox, its principles can be applied to any type of portrait session.
When I first began to read about Beloved, I felt like the direction I have so desired for my business was being shown to me- simply in a more concise and eloquent way than I’d imagined. It is all about authenticity and genuine relationship- things I have been striving for from the beginning. I am so hopeful for the future, and am looking forward to getting to know many future Beloved clients.
Right now, as I explore this new area, I am in search of a few couples who would be willing to “model” for me. If you’re in the Palm Beach County area and are interested, weather you’ve been together for two years or twenty-two– please email me at hannah@hannahmayophotography.com.
Here is a little preview from my artist session with Mary, which was also my first solo Beloved session. More coming soon!
hannah! first of all i love the look of the blog second, bravo to you for finding the right direction for you. i’m so happy to see you pursuing what your heart loves! third, can not WAIT to see where you take beloved! something i’ve been drooling over for months. xoxo friend!
<3
Wow. I was going to comment on your black & white photo but then I saw this post. I totally hear you sister. I am doing Fly soon as well! I have been struggling to figure out where I want my business to go, and being recently divorced, trying to find the best ways to support myself. Everyone says I should do weddings…but my heart just isn’t in it. And I think the money will come when you do what you love. So props to you for figuring this out. I also get migraines…and I am pretty sure doing weddings would give me a migraine. Good luck with everything!
excellent, I so happy that you have worked these things out…..as you so rightly say life is too short to do things that make you unhappy. This is a beautiful photo too!
[...] shared yesterday on my photography blog some more thoughts on the matter… Tagged with: Photography • thoughts [...]
[...] was my first time using Beloved during a solo session. It was such a sweet, fun, and genuine time- probably one of my very favorite [...]