When I first started my business, I was a HUGE blog reader. I must have followed almost 100 blogs and tried to keep up with them as much as humanly possible. Of course the blogs were photography- and wedding-related, so the amount of inspiration and motivation I was feeling was beyond overwhelming. After reading, I’d always be anxious to try a new pose, test out a new lens, implement a new policy in my business practices, send out an e-newsletter, put together a style shoot…and the list went on and on. I didn’t always get to see that inspiration come to fruition, but I learned a lot.

And I continue to learn today. I don’t read nearly as many blogs because there’s too many other things to do during the day (like take care of my little Ally!), but I still have a few that I MUST read whenever I can! I’m so thankful to these photographers who share their beautiful images, business practices and shooting tips on their blogs because they helped me start my business and take it to where it is today. The photography industry, especially the wedding and portrait photography industry, is beyond helpful and willing to share and I’m grateful to be part of such a grand group.

Since I am part of a such a helpful and willing community, I’d like to not only repay the photographers who share and help me grow, but I’d also like to do my part in helping others in the industry. If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation in your photography endeavors or just looking for great pictures to browse, check out the photographers below. I’ve been following them since the beginning and they’ve helped me grow by leaps and bounds!

JAMIE DELAINE

Photo credit

I remember Jamie as one of my earliest blog interests. I found her through Showit. I was checking out their website because I had read on some photographer’s blog that Showit sites were the shiznit. Jamie had just won free Showit for a year because of her awesome website design. I checked her out and was glad I found her. She’s a young photographer with a fresh perspective (me, too!) and I recall thinking…if she can be super successful at a young age, so can I! I also enjoy her style. Whether it’s her writing, fashion or photography, her style is pretty rad. It’s clean and natural, yet fun and original. You can check out Jamie’s blog here.

JUSTIN & MARY MARANTZ

 Photo credit

I can’t remember the exact details, but I’m pretty sure I found these two through someone else’s blog. After admiring both their portfolio and website, I became an immediate fan and attended their Spread the Love Tour in Washington, DC in 2009. They shared lots of beginner tips for us small business owners and provided a ton of motivation for anyone who was hesitant. They continue to bless the industry with their knowledge and willingness to share, and I hope to attend one of their Walk Through A Wedding workshops sometime soon. I look forward to their blog posts because I know I’ll see beautiful images and learn a thing or two along the way. They are always pushing the envelope and thinking big when it comes to improving their business. I give them huge high fives because of that and strive to be as innovative and go get ’em as they are. You can check out Justin and Mary’s blog here.

KATELYN JAMES

Photo credit

Katelyn has been on my reading list ever since I met her at Justin and Mary’s Spread The Love Tour. We were both super new in our businesses and were there to soak up as much info as we could. I remember chatting briefly with her after she turned to me to discuss some piece of information just mentioned at the workshop (wish I could remember the details!). She’s also a young photographer with a photography style similar to mine. We both enjoy clean and colorful images so I always gain inspiration from her blog. Katelyn’s also an open book when it comes to her business. I’ve learned marketing, equipment, shooting techniques, computer tools, and more just from reading her blog. I’ve met Katelyn on a few occasions, but really got to know her at her fall workshop in Richmond, VA last year. I know I’ll continue to learn from her as her business grows. You can check out Katelyn’s blog here.

MELISSA JILL

Photo credit

I haven’t been following Melissa as long as some of the others, but her style reminds me of Justin and Mary’s. Her images are gorgeous and she’s super smart when it comes to business practices. Like the others, she’s also very open when it comes to sharing information with the photography industry. She’s constantly posting about shooting techniques, the equipment she uses, her latest business practices, marketing ideas…her blog is just an all around awesome resource. If I’ve ever got a specific photography- or business-related question, I know I can search Melissa’s blog and typically find the answer. It would be awesome to attend one of her workshops in the near future. You can check out Melissa’s blog here.

A few of my other fave blog reads include:

The Youngrens
Lauryn Galloway
Laura Gordon
Millie Holloman
Jodi Miller
Aesthetiica Photography

THANK YOU to Jamie, Justin & Mary, Katelyn, Melissa and all the other photographers out there who bless us with their knowledge, kindness and beautiful work. If it weren’t for you all, I’m not sure JFP would be where it is today. I’m constantly inspired and motivated to not only make myself better, but to also make my business better for my clients. I love watching you grow and I can’t thank you enough for helping me grow as well.