WOP is 5 and Giveaway!!!

One of the most quoted stats about small businesses is "20% of businesses will fail in their first year and only 50% will survive their 5th year". So it was with a real sense of gratitude that I hit the 5 year mark this year with a business that is growing from strength to strength. #Godisgood #blessed

If you've followed me on my WOP Weddings journey for a while now, then you may remember my 1 year anniversary post where I couldn't quite believe that anyone wanted to pay me to photograph them - lol. I think it's safe to say that I have come a long way since then.

It's been an incredible journey - I've worked with mostly amazing clients and only a handful of clients who have made me want to close up shop and go back to banking - lol. #kidding #notreally #wanidoesntdodrama I have slowly transitioned from a hobbyist trying to earn a little money on the side to a brand and business owner with a clear vision of where I am going. #yay #allgrownup I am a little less afraid to try new things and becoming more comfortable with being myself. I'm attracting clients who love what I do and that is one of the best feelings in the world!!! #sothankful

In the last 12 months, I have been nominated for two top awards in my industry - the ELOY 2016 “Female Photographer of the Year” and the 2017 APPOEMN “Best Event Photographer of the Year”. While I didn't win either award, I can honestly say that I was i) truly honoured that anyone even thought I was worthy of a nomination and ii) overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support I received from my community, colleagues, followers, supporters, friends and family. I don't know how one girl can be so lucky but I am so incredibly grateful.

More amazing highlights for me include being invited to photograph esteemed author Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie earlier this year - I'll need to share a post about that soon because I still can't believe that happened!; And having my work featured internationally in both VOGUE (yes THE VOGUE!!!) #surreal and in the Washingtonian Bride & Groom magazine in Washington DC. #winning

I don't mention all this to brag but honestly, I think I'm leaving this as a reminder to myself to stop focusing so much on all that's left to do and take a few moments to revel in all I have achieved to date. I'm slowly learning to "stay in my lane", to stop comparing myself to others who I think are more successful than I am and to really just focus on MY journey - it's a work in progress but I'll get there! 🙂

So thank you thank you THANK YOU to the clients who have hired and referred me, colleagues and friends who have shared their knowledge and resources, industry colleagues and vendors who have helped me achieve my goals, blogs and magazines who have shared my work, supporters and fans who have cheered, celebrated, referred, hired and prayed for me - I wouldn't be here today without you. God bless you plenty plenty!!!

And as a token of my appreciation, I am running a 5 day giveaway to say a big THANK YOU for being so amazing. So make sure you are following me over on Instagram (my wedding page) so you don't miss all the great prizes! Good luck!!!

See you on the 'gram.

🙂