Johnson City Family and Child Photographer | Just Jill Photography » Family and Child Photographer in Johnson City, TN

So I mentioned last week that I was going to start doing a few things differently around here…one of them being sharing some of my life with all of you.  Since this IS my photography blog, I thought maybe a good place to start would be my beginnings in photography.

I can’t really put a finger on the true beginnings of my photography journey.  I’ve always LOVED pictures.  I remember carrying around my pink Le Click camera (come on children of the 80′s…you know what I’m talking about…) and taking pictures of EVERYTHING.  Seriously, everything.  Just this past year I went through boxes and boxes of 3.5×5 pictures of some of the most random things EVER.  I was that girl that came home from every trip with about 8 rolls of film to get developed.  And yes, I was that annoying person that always wanted a group shot in any place that looked anything like a “photo opp.”  But going through all of those pictures was such a fun trip down memory lane.  I did throw a bunch away, but made sure I had something from everything and they will be in a box in my basement until my poor kid(s) has to go through them one day and think “What in the world was mom thinking taking all of these pictures?” (and probably “who thought that hairdo was a good idea?” and “what IS she wearing?”).

Then I grew up, got a more “sophisticated” camera, and just continued snapping away.  I always wanted a “Real Camera.”  Meaning one that had interchangeable lenses.  I was about 23 or 24.  I had just gotten dumped by a guy I thought hung the moon.  I needed some retail therapy.  I went to Best Buy, did some research, and dropped a good amount of money on a Nikon SLR camera.  I was so excited.  I named it my “Break Up Camera” and we had a lot of fun over the years.  I continued taking it everywhere and snapping pictures left and right.  I wonder how much money I spent on film and developing…I don’t think I would want to know.

2004 – Enter Clark.  We dated, and he quickly realized that my “break up camera” and I were pretty tight.  Our first picture together was taken with that camera.  To this day, it’s one of my favorite pictures of us.  In 2005 we got married and one day, Clark started talking to me about my obsession with the camera.  No one had ever really suggested that maybe I should look into learning what photography was all about.  No one ever really challenged me to get out of Auto mode and really explore what that fabulous piece of equipment could do.  No one until him.  He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself and he bought me my second “real camera.”  My Nikon Digital SLR.  The D50.  And then he bought me some books.  And then he told me to start reading.  I did, and I was hooked.  I started grabbing my nephew whenever I could to practice and it didn’t take me long to realize that I LOVED photography.  I took some pictures of my nephew, then a few of my friends asked me if I would take some pictures of their kids, and then all of a sudden, I had friends of friends asking if I would photograph their children.  From there it just started to really unfold.  I kept on practicing, reading, and shooting…and before too terribly long, Just Jill Photography was born.

2 men and 2 cameras led me to something that I feel like I was born to do.  I love it.  I love every part of it (well, except for writing checks to the state once a quarter).  I love meeting new clients, watching clients grow up in front of my lens, capturing laughter, love, joy, and sometimes even tears.  That second man that gave me that second camera…He is a keeper.  I am so grateful that he saw something in me and encouraged me to go for it.  More on him next time…as well as the story behind my business name.

Until then, thanks for reading…

And thank you for letting me do what I love.  You all make it possible!

I’ve struggled with this blog/website of mine for quite awhile now.  I love, love, love to share images of all the great families I photograph, but I also want this blog to be a fun place for you to visit even when you don’t know the families I am posting.  So I have been playing around with some ideas for 2012 to make my blog a bit more personal.  Over the past several months, I have been convinced more and more that my “job” isn’t just about capturing memories.  It’s about sharing life.  I have been so blessed to have so many of you share your lives with me, and so many of my clients have become my friends.  I want you, and anyone who may be thinking about using Just Jill Photography, to know a little more about me.  I also want to share about YOU as well, and local businesses, events, etc.  So if you ever have anything that you would like for me to share about on this blog of mine, let me know.  And to my clients that are my friends…don’t be surprised if you get a little email from me sometime saying “HEY, I wanna feature YOU and your sweet fam on my website.”  I just hope you’ll say YES when I do!!!

I will be having a “just my life” feature once a week, and will have several other not necessarily photography related posts every month as well.  Be sure you add me to your blog readers, or just check back often to see what is going on!

I’m really exited about 2012.  I’m normally excited about the new year, but this year I am feeling pretty pumped….I think God might have some good stuff up His sleeve and I can’t wait to find out what it is!

Thanks for sharing my journey friends!  Stay tuned for my first “just my life” post coming in the next couple of days!!

I love New Year’s.
I love the thought of having a clean slate.
A chance to make life better, more meaningful.
I love the feeling of new, different, anticipation…
I love dreaming about what the new year holds, all the while giving thanks for the year that has passed.
I love to really reflect on the good and the bad.
I love to challenge myself to be better.
A better Christian.
A better mom, a better wife, a better friend.
A better business owner, a better photographer, a better home manager.
A better steward of my time, my resources, and my temple.

I don’t know what the year ahead holds, but what I do know is who holds my future.
I cannot wait to be better in 2012.  I hope you’ll join me on the journey!