Thoughtful Thursday- Meet the Photographer

So, I think in today's world of social media, it's much more expected or maybe accepted to mix personal somewhat with business. In my line of work I'm constantly working with people at such intimate times in their lives. People count on my to capture their most prized memories. I find it easier to work with clients when we are able to open up with each other. When we are able to find similarities in our lives, things that connect us. Well for my fans and future clients, I decided as my first post for the new year, I'll give you a glimpse in to what makes the J. in J. Hall Photography.

My main loves. God, being a wife and mother, and photography. I couldn't imagine my life without any of these things. Sometimes I stray, get frustrated, or feel completely uninspired, but I wouldn't change it for anything. When I got married at the age of 18, (yes I said it, 18!) I never imagined my life would be where it is today. I can't believe it's been almost eight years since my husband and I first started dating, almost five years since we've been married. Life goes by fast. I'm constantly trying to remind myself to enjoy it, sit back and watch, soak in what I can. You never know when it'll all be gone. That's one thing about me, sometimes I can be pessimistic, or maybe a realist? On the other hand, I'm a total goof, I'm probably too sarcastic for my own good (thanks Dad), I love to laugh, I go crazy about music that makes me smile without knowing it. I love garlic bread. Oh man do I love garlic bread and oh how I wish I didn't. Not that you all needed to know that. What else can I say. I come from a big family, I have a fraternal twin. I'm constantly spell checking myself on Google  My first son helped me find my love for photography. Right back to photography! The reason why I'm actually writing this blog. I guess I could go there for a bit right? I always loved taking photos growing up but never once thought it would one day be my career. In fact in high school we did a mentor-ship with someone in the field we wanted to go into after high school. I remember having photography pop in my head and I quickly pushed it out because I truly thought it wasn't for me. I was a friends house at some point while I was in high school and her father was a photographer. I vividly remember walking through her hallways and seeing her father's black and white photos and feeling this combination of emotions  Jealousy, admiration, longing but of course pushed the idea of becoming a photographer myself one day out of my mind. I look back now and think, my mind was completely trying to point me to where I was supposed to go but my realist side came out and I pushed the idea away. I'm so thankful God gave me my first son. There are so many amazing reasons but one that has to do with this post is because he became my first subject. The first thing that really lit the fire for my journey of becoming a photographer. I'm so thankful. I really pray that everyone of you reading this have something in your lives that you have such love for, like I do for my photography. I saw someone post this quote today and I absolutely love it. “Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive...then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”― Howard Thurman. That's what photography is to me, something that makes me come alive. I really pray and hope you all find that one day. Maybe not as a career (although that would be amazing) but at least in something you do as a hobby. Just something.

Well, before I go all deep on you all I think I'm going to wrap things up. Also, it's 2:30 and I should probably get some sleep right? Since this post is about yours truly, here are some recent photos of myself that one of my photog friends took of me, edited by me! Thanks Katelyn Owens Photography!

Oh PS it was totally raining during this shoot so that is why my hair is so insanely FLAT! Just had to put that out there...