Seven years ago, I (Jordan) dropped out of law school.
We were just 22. Newlyweds.
It was the middle of the recession, and Iād just lost $10,000 on credits Iād never complete. Toward a degree Iād never earn. For a career I thought was everything.
I burned almost our entire savings. My heart was as bitter as the taste in my mouth. I was broken. So sorry. But mostly scared.
To get back on my feet, I started volunteering at Amyās elementary school. A few days later, her principal hired me. That first year, I did anything and everything. I organized morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. I covered recess. I subbed when teachers were sick. I wheeled a laptop cart around campus and taught computers.
In a twist of fate, Amy met her mentor photographer there.
He was a dad at the school, and she asked if she could assist him. Sheād been following wedding photographersā blogs since we got married ā and even though she never really thought ātheirā life was possible for us, she dreamed anyways. She offered to work for free anyways. She carried his bags, got him water and learned as much as she could anyways. The fire was lit.
I started coaching soccer at our church so we could save for our first camera.
In the beginning, we took pictures nobody saw and wrote blogs that nobody read.
āThe market is too saturated,ā they said. āNobody reads blogs anymore,ā they said.
We dreamed anyways. Some days, we felt progress. Other nights, we cried ourselves to sleep. But we kept getting up in the morning. Kept shooting. Kept writing to the invisible audience we hoped one day would come.
If you wouldāve told me 7 years ago things like an NFL football player would fly us to Paris to photograph his proposal because his sweet girlfriend follows our blog, I wouldnāt have believed it.
But just because my future wasnāt visible to me doesnāt mean it wasnāt clear to God.
So, if you are today where we were 7 years ago: shoot like everyone is watching, write like everyone is reading, love the clients you have like the clients you want, and serve that invisible audience with everything you have.
Because God sees you, what you donāt see, and in His perfect timing, Heāll make what you canāt see visible.
Thank you for this. I know it’s hard work, but it is a nice reminder that we all have to start from Zero. Thank you and God bless you, your business and family!
You got it, Ruth!! It’s a process. You’re so sweet! Thank you! <3
I can’t wait to see the photos from Paris!
They’re coming!! <3
You both are awesome!! And I LOVE the openness about God in this broken world! You are both such an inspiration to me as I start out with my photography business. Just keep doing what you do and inspiring others like you have ME! This is just what I needed to read today and remind myself as my husband often tells me that God’s Got This #GGT! We even hand out bracelets with this reminder! Too bad I can’t remember this as often as I should! ????
I SO needed to read this now. I’m in such a rut and yesterday I asked Him to make his purpose clear so I can do what He sent me to do. I’ll take your sweet message as an affirmation that he heard me. Thank You
That just made our day, Candace! Thank you so much for sharing that with us! We’re cheering so loud for you! You got this, girl! <3
Wow. Thank you so much for this! This is exactly what I needed to hear and am further inspiration and conviction that this is where I’m called to be in my career! God is good!
That brings us so much joy today, Amanda! We appreciate you sharing that with us! We’re cheering so loud for you! Hugs! <3
This is Beautiful! THANKS so much for sharing! ????
Aw! Thank you so much, Nicole! <3
This is just what I needed to hear today! Thank you for your godly words of wisdom!
Thank you for sharing that with us, LaDonna! So happy this brought you some encouragement! We’re cheering for you!! <3
awe ! i’ve been following your blog and emails. LOVE your testimonials! what a great story! it IS hard to break into a photography world that is saturated and honestly still struggling … but then there is GOD!
Thank you so much for supporting us, Pauline! You’re so sweet! <3
Really need to hear this today!
Thank you for sharing that with us, Christine! We are smiling ear to ear! š
Really need to hear this today!
Very inspiring! Love your system, mission and foundation.
We appreciate that so much, Alex! Thank you!! š
Thank you for this reminder.
So glad this offered some encouragement to you, Susie! <3
All I can say is…. Thank you. For your transparency and acknowledging God in your moments of success and struggles. This was neeeded for what I have coming up next. Thanks again
We’re so happy this blog post was something you needed to hear, Amanda! Thanks so much for sharing! <3
thank you. thank you! reliance on our God is what brings me to my knees…literally. i’m so blessed to have found you both and to hear you share your faith. …thank you!
That’s so sweet of you, Jackie! Means so much to us! <3
What an awesome story! Amy, you inspire me. You look so happy and cheery in all of the pics you post. You two are the cutest! God bless you both.
Aw!! You’re so sweet, Evelyn! Thank you so much! <3
What beautiful work and what great inspirations you both are
Thank you for those words, Mary! That totally made our day! š
Goodness I needed this today. I just turned down a paid speech path job because I’m knee deep in setting up my website that no one knows about, shooting Ā½ the time for free and trying to be an attentive wife and mom. You guys are awesome. Thanks for sharing your heart.
You’re an absolute rockstar, Jen!! You got this! We’re cheering so loud for you! Hang in there! Hugs! <3
Ah thank you so much, I need this so bad there are days when I feel like I never be were I want to be with Photography,coming to this country and leaving my entire world behind Learning a second language is been hard but reading this makes me believe that one day I’ll get there. Love you guys.
Thank You .
Oh my goodness, you’re so incredibly awesome, Ariadna!! We’re cheering so loud for you! We wish you nothing but the best!! Thank you so much! <3
You guys are so incredible. It is so refreshing to know that with hard work, dedication, and talent it is seriously possible to conquer your dreams. I especially love your candid-ness (is that a word? I might have made that up haha!) on how there were hard days. And lots of them.
I would love to know what some of the biggest obstacles were that you two dealt with and and how you overcame them. (Obviously being tired had to be a big one- as a teacher myself- man. I feel ya on that haaha!) I have tons of word of mouth but I worry my pricing is off for the area I am circulating in. How can I switch that up?
Thank you guys for all that you do. I feel like you’re two friends that Jordon (my version of Jordan lol!) and I just haven’t met (yet!). SO happy for all of your successes!
-xo Shauna
Hi Shauna! Aw. Wow. First, THANK YOU for all your kind words. We’re so humbled by them š One of the biggest obstacles is discouragement. Its brother is contentment. And its cousin is patience. Looking back, there were A LOT of times where we felt like we were in a hole we’d never get out of or under a pile we couldn’t dig ourselves out of. The lift felt too heavy. The burden too great. In hindsight, we’re thankful we just kept going. Day after day. Whether we felt like we’d conquered the world or burned it down that day. Whether we took one step forward or two steps back. That might sound clichĆ©, but it’s the truth. Hang in there. Keep fighting. And let God’s perfect timing unfold, whatever that is.
Thank you for the inspiration! Its good to be reminded that we can do anything we put our minds to and to stay positive for good things to come!
Absolutely, Krista!! You said it, girl! Thank you for sharing! <3
This is very timely…I’ve just started my website and am struggling to wade through all the things like branding, SEO, blogging, newsletters ETC and it all feels very overwhelming sometimes. (And nobody comments. What’s up with that?) I say that not from a discouraged place but knowing that I’ve started at the bottom and it’s a long way to the top, but it’ll be worth it. Thanks for doing what you all do!
It will come, Molly! Stick with it, girl! We appreciate you sharing that with us so much! We’re cheering for you!! <3
This message is God’s timing, thank you both.
We love that, Courtney! Thank you for sharing that with us!! <3
Love this post Jordan! I make my living as a photographer, but follow you because I love who you(and Amy!) are. You teach me new things or remind me of things I forgot. You two are just awesome people! It warms my heart to see your success. God is definitely smiling on you.
Wow, thank you so much, Laura! That means so much to us!! We’re cheering for you!! <3
Beautifully written! Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. You two are truly great source of inspiration!
Thanks so much, Allegra! That just made our day! <3
Such a blessing. May God continue to guide you as you inspire us all!
Aw! You’re so sweet, Ellen! Thank you so much! <3
This is just what I needed to read today! ????????????
We love hearing that, Jana! Thank you so much for sharing! We’re cheering for you! <3
Thank you Jordan for your words of encouragement I know God has a plan for me. I don’t have a web site yet but I need one. God has open door’s for me. I have photography from our stone quarry where I work and God had granted favor from the owners and the president of this company. “Wow” God is Good.
He most certainly does, Ron! So happy to hear that, man! Keep it up! Thanks so much for sharing that with us! We’re cheering so loud for you! š
As a photographer just getting started in my journey, this is amazing to read. Thank you for this!
We love hearing that, Beth! So glad this was an encouragement to you!! We’re cheering for you! š
Love this post and I love how you guys openly talk about God and your faith. It is so nice to read about how God works in other peoples lives. You guys are awesome!
Thank you so much, Stephanie! God is so good! You’re so awesome, girl! <3
Thank you so much!! I did need this today. So very much. It made me cry.
Aw!! We’re so happy this was an encouragement to you, Sandy! Thank you so much for sharing that with us! We’re cheering for you! <3
I can’t even right now. “Because God sees you, what you donāt see, and in His perfect timing, Heāll make what you canāt see visible.” Your email said thought you might need this today, and man, did I ever! Thank you so much for sharing this truth and these encouraging words!
Aw!! Your words just made us smile so big! Thank you for sharing that with us, Melissa! We’re so glad this was an encouragement for you! We’re cheering for you!! <3
I so needed this post this weekend as I prepare to head back to my day job teaching in the morning while building my business in the nights and weekends to better fit my family.
Sometimes it just seems too hard and like I am getting no where but this is a great reminder that wherever we are starting from- the dream is possible
You’re so awesome, Rebecca!! Keep it up! We know exactly how you’re feeling and know it’s hard, but great things are on the horizon! We’re cheering so loud for you! Hugs!! <3
Thank you SO much for sharing your story. It truly does inspire and motivate me to keep moving forward and that it IS possible to achieve success even when it feels like nothing is going as planned. I’m so grateful to have found your page!
Aw!! Thank you for sharing that with us, Jenna! You got this, girl! We’re cheering so loud for you! <3
Amazing story. In some ways I really did need to read this. Because putting yourself out there is tough and overwhelming at times. The moments you think do I really have what it takes? Is my passion enough? Do I have enough drive and patience to see this all the way through? Only God knows. I know that I won’t stop trying. One day I hope I can come back and tell you and Amy that I did it…that I made it. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
We totally understand what you’re feeling, Tiffany! You got this!! Keep up the hard work! We’re cheering so loud for you! Hugs! <3
I love this so much! You guys are very encouraging and inspiring! I’m starting out my photography business very soon, so I loved reading this! I also love that you talk so openly about God and your Faith!
We’re so excited for you, Melissa! We wish nothing but the best in your photography career! Thank you so much! <3
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Oh my gosh I just started crying reading this! God is so good, sending encouragement through His body of believers. And His dreams are way bigger (and better!) than the ones we could ever dream for ourselves! My husband loves photography too… and we are toying with the idea of being a wedding photography duo! Our dream is to do ministry full time, and wedding photography could help finance that… and since I have a ministry for wives, we could meet so many couples we could help! Thank you for sharing your story and speaking about Christ with boldness! Dont stop!! God bless! š
Aw!! That just made our day, Shannon! That sounds awesome!! We’re so excited for what’s to come for you and your husband! Thank you so much for sharing that with us! We’re cheering so loud for you! Hugs!! <3
Loved your blog post today! So full of hope and joy. Thank you for being so open about your faith and for the reminder that God has a plan for me.
Aw! Thank you so much, Becky! We hope you stay encouraged! We’re cheering for you! <3
Wow! That was Beautiful! Definitely something I needed to read, I am 21 years old right and everyone is saying that I Need years and years of practice, but after watching your guys live video I know now that is definitely NOT the case! I hope to buy your teaching kit and learn as much as possible from you guys, Thank you so much for beING so Great!
We think that’s so awesome, Brianna! Thanks so much for sharing that with us! Keep working hard to make your dreams a reality! We’re cheering for you, girl! <3
This is so inspirational! I’ve been following your blog and my hand hurts from taking notes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion for photography!
Aw!! You’re so sweet! Thanks so much, Taylor! Keep working hard! Hugs! <3
Such a powerful message, truly touched my heart and inspired me to continue to move forward…even through my blurry photos! It can be so frustrating, but you are right God sees and knows…and can be trusted. Thank you
We’re so happy to hear you loved the blog, Michelle! Keep working hard! We wish you the best! You got this, girl! <3
Amy and Jordan, thank you so much for your timely post. As a new photographer struggling to grow my business, this dose of inspiration was exactly what I needed. Thank you for your candor, kind words, and encouragement for those of us in our humble beginnings.
Aw! That brings us so much joy, Ariana! Thank you!! Hey, we’ve totally been there! We’re cheering for you! <3
Jordan,
You have no idea how at this very moment I’m thinking after 4 years of getting kicked in the face in the job world, I’ll never be truly happy being someone else’s grunt girl. I have been from temp job to temp job and I really want to shoot weddings. I have very little money, wish like anything I could work with you and Amy because I know I could get SO much from you both to help my business. However, your words to photograph like everyone is watching just really resignated in me. I literally have to take off like a rocket in the coming weeks. I just don’t know if another job will come along or if I even want it to. Thank you my friend, amazing and powerful words to inspire me and I’m sure many others. ā¤
Hi, Deborah! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. We just want to take a moment and encourage you to KEEP GOING! Don’t give up! You totally got this!! We’re cheering so loud for you, girl! š
This message brought tears to my eyes! I felt like God softened my heart to love photography in about 2011. As with most people I thought things would change quickly and I’d have my own business! Well here we are in 2017 and God is using you to give me confidence and encouragement to go for it! I will retire next year so the timing is perfect! Thank you so much for being so much more than photographers! You are mentors, teachers and encouragers! I have my first family photo shoot tomorrow morning (I’m bartering with my hair stylist) and sent them appropriate parts of your email and feel like I now have the “inner” tools to get started! How can I thank you? The Lord has blessed your richly! May He continue to do so! Thank you for sharing all the wisdom and skills He has given you!
Hi, Denise! Wow. You just made our day! Thank you so much for sharing that with us! That truly means everything to us! We are so happy to know that we can encourage you and help you! We’re cheering so loud for you! Thanks so much, Denise! <3
Thank y’all so much. It honestly is so motivating to see where you guys started and where you guys are now. Just got to get the ball rolling!
Thanks so much, Pevee! We’re so happy we can encourage you through our own journey! We’re cheering for you! š
You guys are awesome! Thank you for this post, I have been feeling lost lately and I don’t know what my future holds especially since I am still a student. But your post gave me a lot of hope and confidence. <3
We TOTALLY understand that, Christine! We’ve been there! So glad this post was encouraging to you! We’re cheering for you!! <3
I was going through your blog to get some inspiration because I am going to start my own blog this week when I stumbled upon this post. It really speaks to me because I totally relate to feeling like I’m serving an invisible audience right now. I almost cried when I read the last line! You have given me a brand new perspective. Thank you so much for writing this! It was so uplifting!
Aw! You’re so welcome, Charlotte! We’re SO glad this was helpful! We’re cheering for you!:)
Y’all done made me cry. Thanks for adding some hope into my journey!
Aw!! So glad you loved this post, Lindsey! Keep pushing forward!