Even at 3 years old I was a big sunglass rocking diva! You know it! With my Osh Kosh Bigosh overalls, my sad excuse for hair yet again, and my grandmas sunglasses….I was the hit of every restaurant experience.

Ok see that face above on the right—me scrunching my nose? Yea, sadly I still make that face a little too frequently. Why is beyond me—its definitely not cute anymore! : P

After graduation from the University of Maryland (Pre-Law Major), I moved to New Jersey, got engaged, got married, and had my two little angels, Nicholas and Ryan all within 2 years. Is your head spinning? Because mine still is. : P

It was becoming harder and harder to keep the prospects of law school on the front burner and with two kids—I had to do something. But what else could this book worm or an aspiring Elle Woods do? It was after the birth of my two sons and a lot of time to reflect on my past and time to look towards my future, that I realized that law school was never really what I wanted. Sure, I love the law. I loved studying and practicing it, but was it really what I wanted for myself? Or was it what everyone in my family expected of me? How could I ever in a million years tell my mom, my family that during those 4 years of mock trials and Criminal Justice classes I was drooling staring at the arts/photography building through the window? How could I possibly make a career out of an ever changing industry that intimidated more than any judge ever could? I took the easy route and chose to say nothing….until about 3 years ago when I finally said what I REALLY WANTED TO DO: I want to be a professional photographer. Specifically an engagement and wedding photographer!

After months of selling off my pre-law dictionaries, reading up on all things photography, investing in over 20,000 in gear, and starting up my own business, I was finally in the point and stage I wanted all along. Terrified. Excited. Ready.

Now back to success. Success to a lawyer are cases won, colleague support, and being made partner before 30. Success to a photographer are ever changing and ever growing. But now, after earning the right to call myself a professional (which believe me—is still so so weird to say and accept for myself) I have found out what I consider to be success, and its probably not what you’d think.

As a photographer, capturing life and telling someones stories with my photos, is not only my job, its my privilege. It is important to be business conscious, but there is so much more to this “job”. Becoming a professional photographer is a never ending road of learning, improving and growing. Be careful when you meet a photographer that says they know everything there is to know. In fact, run the other way.  As the industry is multiplying and multiplying each and every year, it becomes more and more important to really connect with your clients so that when it comes time for them to need portraits–its not a decision of whom to use.

One of the most important things I learned in Pre-Law was that if your client can not trust you, you can not trust that you will win your case. You have to provide your client, without a reason of doubt, that your goal is the same is theirs: Beautiful, candid and “wow” worthy photographs. Although I am not Kaitlin Hebert, ESQ…I still feel as though a lot of what I learned in Pre-Law has really helped by business grow from the inside out.

Your relationship with your clients is what makes you successful. Not the fame. Not the money. Not the amount of likes on your Facebook  business page. The positive word of mouth, positive referrals, and customer loyalty is what your goal should be. Believe me when I tell you that everyone wants to be successful, but the photographer you ultimately want is the photographer that feels as though your friendship is success enough. (At least that is how I run my business–that doesn’t make it right for everyone, but it works for me)

I hope this post gives you an inside look on me. My scrunched nose habits. My faded dreams of being Elle Woods. And my ever growing dream of being an even more successful photographer than I wanted to be yesterday. With each and every session, the people and couples I get to meet add to my success. Their friendship, loyalty and trust is all I will ever need to be successful, feel famous and truly be rich!

Stay Happy, Stay Beautiful, Stay Fabulous and Stay “Successful”,

Kaitlin Noel