Twenty five months ago, I made the best professional decision I've ever made. The decision was to quit my job, or to be fired.
I chose to quit. And with nothing but each other, my love and I started over.
And from that day - September 20, 2010, I've dedicated my life, my time and my mind to becoming a photographer. Those first nine months, after I quit were rough. We had the support of family but we made no money. None. I worked at a wedding venue serving drinks and Kesh was still full time at uni, finishing her degree in fine arts. We ate cereal for dinner but I never questioned our direction.
I always knew we'd get here. I knew because I saw things differently. I started to see this world and the people in it, with completely new eyes. Through leaving behind the mundanity of my past and allowing myself the time to create, I found the most beautiful things - and they were always in the most simple places. And I knew because He who gave me my eyes was helping me take this journey. I really believe that.
Family is what I knew and so that's where I started - family photography. My blog is filled with weddings now but I still shoot families when I have the time.
Last week, we were in Hobart for a session of the nursery. During the workshops, I talk about how it doesn't make sense that a guy in his mid twenties, with no experience in the industry booked fifty family sessions (and almost as many weddings) in his first twelve months of being in business. It doesn't make sense because, up until five months ago, I'd never had my own family. But here I was trying to capture yours and the intimate relationships and emotions within it.
One of the other things I talk about is how my real talent isn't even photography - it's people.
The day before our workshop, I met Anna, Simon and Sage in Bellerive. A few things I saw immediately were that Anna and Simon were properly in love. I noticed how Anna and Simon cared for Sage - how she was their everything. I saw a tenderness in Anna's approach to life and the people in hers.
I'm so thankful I can see these things now.
When my little family travel back to Tasmania to drive the whole way around its magical shores, we will be spending time with our beautiful and in real love friends, Anna, Simon and Sage. Thank you for the jam guys. Raspberries on toast never tasted so good.
these are lovely. so beautiful. (and I love your labels at the end of the post. :) )
ReplyDeleteshe's the CUTEST little one ever!
ReplyDeleteand your labels seriously make my day. i think my favourite is "i am properly in love with her", referring to your darling kesh.
You are too good.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Tim! The weather on Sunday and Monday were a lot more reflective of the norm down here so don't let the weather put you off. We will never live anywhere else now :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful images of beautiful people! I love reading true love stories and am blessed to be living one of my very own. Capturing magic Mr. Coulson! Gorgeous. Am off to email you about our own family session :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, makes me homesick.
ReplyDeleteI find your words just as moving as your pictures. You give us office types hope to follow our dreams!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words + images Tim. Tasmania/Hobart is seriously the best place in the world - we wouldn't live anywhere else!!
ReplyDeleteyou are simply amazing. one of my favorite photographers. your images are so raw and real and crisp, i just want to soak them all up.
ReplyDeletethis is a beautiful family and i laughed at your tags at the end. :]
You just get better and better Tim! Beautiful shoot and gorgeous family. And couldn't agree more about Tasmania, one of the best places on earth!
ReplyDeleteIt's been too long since our last family shoot and we have another little person in the family now as well... I'll be in touch with Kesh to see if you can squeeze us in!
Lisa x
its fantastic to see you photograph a family as beautifully as you do your usual weddings. so raw and stunning.
ReplyDeleteYou capture the in between moments that most people just miss. Simply magical!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of a lovely family! Brilliant. Love it to bits. :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute baby and a lovely family too, as photography beautiful work as always, i still find amazing how you pre-empt where and what people are going to do so that you can be in the right place to create a great image, this is amazing ..!
ReplyDeleteLovely. Often the sweetest success comes from those who deserve it most, come from nothing but have talent!! I married my teen love, i was still at Uni, he was one rank up from private in the Army, we had love, that was truly all that mattered. We've scrimped & saved, i've run a design business from home while raising 4 children & he's gone to war 5 times, now we're on the brink of a truly amazing lifestyle, it's so exciting!! Love to you & you wonderful success, love Posie
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to process everything I learnt at the Nursery. You really did open up my eyes to the beauty of every day life. And for that I will be forever grateful.
I can't wait for you to capture my family one day. xx