Okay so I've been wanting to start a blog forever ago ...... now I'll start by putting it out there that I'm not the best speller ( thank goodness for spell check ) and my grammar needs a lot of help but if you can look past all of that then I'm sure we'll get along just fine!
How do I even start .... what should I blog about ?? Normally it will be about all my fabulous clients and the images that I will capture of each of their special occasions but for my first blog I thought maybe I should tell you a little about me.
First of all I'm not a teeny bopper anymore but I still act like one, much to the embarrassment of my husband and kids... ha ha ha
I'm closing in on a pretty big milestone birthday ... the big 50 and unlike my husband who didn't want to even celebrate his, I've decided to make this my BEST year ever.....Stay tuned because I have a lot happening this year to celebrate the turning a 1/2 a century and I promise to blog about it all.
Now I will admit that some things are starting to head south and I finally broke down and bought some readers but as far as I'm concerned I'm just a 30 ( 20 ) year old at heart.
I can still do backflips and front flips on the trampoline ( stopped attempting them on the grass after I had my 3rd kid )
I eat chocolate EVERY single day .... even if they are chipits from the freezer.
Ice cream is my second favorite and it's always in the freezer, come over for a bowl anytime :)
I have 3 of the best kids on the planet .... Hailey is 25 and is married to Dakota ( May 2016 ) and they are the ones responsible for the sweetest, most adorable grandson. ( Hunter, who will be 3 in July ) You will see him plastered all over my Facebook www.facebook.com/candacefastphotography and Instgram www.instagram.com/candace_fast_photography
Emily is 21 and just married the most adorable man ( Brad Peter ) in June last year. We had such a blast decorating for her wedding and they bought a house in Harrison that they are renovating. Emily is also an amazing photographer and frequently assists me on weddings days as my second shooter. Before you know it I'll be second shooter for her <3
Riley is my last but definitely not least ... he's a firecracker and keeps us on our toes, I wouldn't want it any other way.
He is the BIG 16 and wants to drive any chance he can .... he has a heart of gold and has been dating this amazing girl, Marliese for 2 years already ...... I know I know .... I told all of my children that they were not allowed to date until they were 16 ..... do the math ... he was only 14 but when you know you know right !!!!!!
That leads into my hubby pretty nicely ..... I was only 15 when we met so how can I say my kids won't have the same luck.
We celebrated our 30 year anniversary last September and although marriage is never perfect I will admit that I chose well when I chose him <3
Now maybe I should get a little more personal.
If you know me you know that I wear my heart on my sleeve, I'm a people pleaser ..... although I've been working on that.
I love truth .... good or bad I'd rather have honestly.
I don't beat around the bush and appreciate others that do the same.
I crave authenticity ...... people just own your shit, life is so much easier this way:)
Our differences are what make us special and we should celebrate it and showcase it.
Competition is a good way to push my creativity but it does NOT come before community!
I laugh ... I laugh a LOT so if you don't like happy people then I'm not the photographer for you.
I cherish friendships ... I don't need everyone to be my friend but I honor and adore the ones I have and would do anything for them.
I have been a "YES" girl forever and I'm constantly working on saying NO .... it's hard but I've learnt that I can't do everything ..... or at least everything well.
I love people, meeting new people, spending quality time with the people I love.
Oh and I can't forget about the outdoors, nature the mountains .... EVERYTHING adventurous .... I crave time spent in Gods creation.
I'm a gypsy married to a farmer ... ha ha ha ... so at times that slows me down but luckily he let's me go .... I need to explore and find new places and every once in a while I drag him along with me, kicking a screaming !!!
Advice for the ones up and coming that haven't had half a century to figure things out is to not sweat the small stuff .... life is too short .... enjoy the time while your kids are all sleeping under your roof ... I know it crazy and sleepless and so busy that you think you will lose your mind but "THESE ARE THE BEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE"!
And last but not least know that you are LOVED .... even if you don't feel it or don't believe it .... you are loved.
My relationship with Jesus has taught me that and when I experienced my lowest of lows He lifted me up and sustained me and reminded me that I am a child of His and I am LOVED.
Ya I just had to add a bunch of images of this little guy ..... I already warned you that if you follow me on instgram or facebook you would see a lot of him :)
Now that being said let's get back to me .... ha ha ha ha .... and in saying that it's sounds weird ....I'm NOT that person ... I like to entertain people so yes I talk a lot but I don't think it's about me :) ha ha ha
Let me tell you about my passion ... I bet you can't guess ..... photography!!!
The passion started young ...like first camera young ..... like who here remembers these ..... this was my first camera.
I upgraded of course and started shooting with a Pentax fully manual camera. I shot everyone, everything and anything.
Went through a grade 11 and grade 12 photography class .... yes that's my only schooling in the photography world, the rest was self taught.
I starter shooting professionally after the local print and framing shop encouraged me to go for it, I would bring in my film to be developed and they would continually encourage me to start.
I don't even remember how the first wedding was booked but what I do remember is how much I loved being apart of these days, they would invite me into one of the most important days of their lives .... I loved the connection that would form and the relationships that blossomed from each and everyone of my brides and grooms.
I also wasn't immune to the bridezilla and I did have an experience that altered my journey. If I could go back 20 years and know what I know now I would have done things differently but I don't regret it ..... I went another direction and worked with my husband and built up our farm and family business that is still going strong (30 years later) On a side note if you need any window tinting and security done I know a place (Sunstop Tinting ) LOL
Fast forward a "few" years when I met a new friend..... she was a professional photographer..... this ignited a spark that had been quietly burning just waiting for the right timing. She was getting ready to sell all her professional equipment and so I took a leap of faith and jumped in with both feet.
I started slowly and just felt it out, I shot only what I wanted and it grew again from there,
I was meant to do this ... this is my thing .... this is my gift and more than anything else I have done ( other then raising my kids ) this is my purpose.
Weddings took some time to take on again, it wasn't until after Hailey and Dakota were married that I decided that I wanted to take them on. It brought back all the feels and reminded me of why I loved it so much.
I believe that being a wedding photographer you absolutely need to give 150 %, I wasn't ready to go all in until 2 years ago when I welcomed my first bride and groom and I'm so excited to meet so many more.
This is year three of shooting weddings again and I couldn't be more excited, every time a bride or groom reaches out and wants to meet.
Thank you sooooo much to all you that have trusted me to not only capture your wedding days but also all those newborns, graduates as well as families and couples.
Looking forward to what 2019 will bring <3
Okay I couldn't sign off without sharing with you a bunch of pretty pictures could I :)
Now if you made it this far thank you, you are a rockstar a goddess an obviously super cool person !!
Leave a nice comment.... ha ha ha, did I mention I don't do negativity .... life is too short so lift someone up instead of tearing them down.
Thanks again for sharing a few minutes with me.
Candace Fast