Tacoma Wedding Photographers | Hilary Mercer Photography | Tacoma Newborn Photographer

About 2 months ago I was given a homework assignment and it has taken me some time to get to it. I am not the best with words. Well, since were being honest I am terrible at wording things. Often I have to read things to my husband to make sure Im not coming off in a tone Im not meaning. Because apparently sarcasm doesn’t relate to the written word all too well. Perhaps the new way to present sarcasm should be in italics? Anyway, the assignment was to explain my why. The reason I am a photographer. Why after all of the struggles that at the end of the day I still love my job and couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. All of the late nights Ive spent learning how to work my camera followed quickly by learning how to run a business, specifically a photography business. Ill tell you what; the following words wont involve me telling a story about how I held my first camera at the age of 9 or something along the lines of “well everyone said I took adorable photos of my children so I decided to start a business.” It wont say anything about my families influence in art; even though my mom was an artist.

The idea of turning a hobby into a business came quite quickly for me. It happened so quickly my own husband didnt even have faith in me! Now, I am his retirement plan. In the last three years I have learned so much. However, I am no where near where I want to be and I doubt I will ever be there because there is A L W A Y S something to be learned and people to learn from.

Over the past few years I have had lots of clients. Some have come back and some haven’t. I love that I get to know my clients; specifically the brides. I love that at the end of their wedding I have 2 new friends and I got to be with them in some of their most special times. I was just at a repeat clients home to photograph her children and she hugged me upon my entering her home. I love that. These people really mean a lot to me. People in general really mean a lot to me. Recently, someone told me to not worry about people and not to waste the energy on them. I thought that statement was funny. I can’t not worry about them. I have an empathetic heart.

So that is my why. The reason I continue to grow and work my butt off is for Y O U. It’s not for me, its not for the money, it’s not so you can fly me to fun locations {though I do enjoy it!}. It is for you and your family. Because the fact of the matter is that your family is always changing. People are growing older, fatter and more sick every day. You never know when the last moment you will have with your loved ones will be. Over the past decade I have lost more people than I could have ever imagined. I WISH I could have more photos with those I have lost. Honestly I just wish I could have more photos of them in general.  That is one of the main reasons I make sure to get photos before my husband deploys and after because there is always a chance he might not make it back. There is a chance he could go grocery shopping and not make it back. The baby you’re carrying might be the only one you get to. Your newborn baby might develop a disease and not make it past her first birthday.

I am a photographer because of what might happen.

First comes love

then comes marriage

then comes a babyin a baby carriage.

So if you havent hadyour family photos taken in at least 3 years I seriously urge you to find someone to take them. It doesnt have to be a professional, it can be your neighbor or walmart. Just do me a favor and think a little about who you book and be sure they dont over manipulate the photos ohKay? Cause that seriously drives me nuts!