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Then & Now

Dec 4, 2019 | By: Willow Bee Photography

When I started photography over a decade ago as a hobby, I never imagined it would turn into a business. Now that I am the owner and photographer of Willow Bee Photography, I am humbled at how much progress I have made over the years. I had an eye for photography when I began, but when I got an awesome shot, it was mainly due to luck. Now when I get a great shot, it's due the years of practice and honing of my skills. Does that mean photography is easy for me now? Of course not! There are still many challenges, but I continue to learn and grow from them.

Let't go back to 2016, a mere 3 years ago. At that point, photography had been my hobby for 7 years, and I was just starting to think of it as a profession. At the time I thought my photos were pretty darn good. However looking back at sessions I did that year, it's clear I wasn't as strong of a photographer as I thought I was! I found a lot to criticize. Below, I have compared my 2016 Christmas session with my 2019 Christmas session. 

Then

Looking at this photo by itself, it doesn't look too terrible. Let's ignore the fact that she refused to look at that camera that day. I personally dislike the color, but it's when you compare it to the 2019 photo that you see how improved it could be.

Now

The photo is drastically better than the 2016 photo. Not even counting the fact that Cordelia cooperated wonderfully and looked at the camera. The angle is much more pleasing to the eye, and the colors are more vibrant and cheerful.

Then

Willow also did not want to look at the camera, but she's been that way for years. This photo has similar issues to the one of Cordelia. The color is a little off putting, and the angle isn't wonderful. By itself, it's not terrible, but compared to 2019?

Now

I cannot believe I got her to look at the camera! However that doesn't count toward the great improvement from 2016. It's the gorgeous warm lighting, the perfect angle, and the tack sharpness that make this photo.

Then

This image has all of the same problems as the previous 2016 images. The colors are so drab! Again, neither dog wanted to look at me. Didn't matter what I did, said or what noises I made.

Now

I am so incredibly happy with this image! I haven't gotten a nice photo of Willow and Cordelia together in 4 years. One of them always looks or walks away. Pair that luck, with the gorgeous lighting and angle, and we have a perfect photo folks!

To be fair, it was a very grey, dark, dreary day when I did the 2016 session. That is something I could not control. What I could control was choosing to wait for a better day, like the beautiful, crisp, bright day I had for the 2019 session. The most important thing I have learned as a natural light photographer is to pay attention to lighting conditions. The other thing that was out of my control during the 2016 session was my dogs' willingness to cooperate. Willow and Cordelia acted in true stubborn dachshund fashion and would not do what I asked. Perhaps they knew the lighting wasn't right? The fact that they looked at the camera during the 2019 session was pure luck, but I am so grateful for that. 

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