Dear Me of 2015 -Celebrating a Publication from Junebug Weddings

Dear Me of 2015 [7 years into business]….
I see you, with your coffee in your hand, and the bags under your eyes from the lack of sleep you have working around the clock. You’re crying often and it’s hard to juggle all the things you WANT to juggle. Business is picking up and the kids are growing up and you’re asking all the right questions. Is this ok? Are you a good mom and a present wife? Are you a good photographer? Will this ever be anything more than a hobby/wanna-be business? Will you be able to prove to your husband that all the late nights and unpaid jobs were not in vain? You’re on the verge of calling it quits. You’re doubting yourself a lot and you’re wondering if this is the end of the photography journey you’ve so much labored for. You’re questioning if you have anything left in you to make this work….

Let me tell you something….YOU DO! You’ve got heart. Heart to give it your all. Heart to wake up and try again. Heart to try the hard things. Heart to cry through the tough times. Heart to sit in silence and take the failures. Heart to resist the urge to quit when things get tough. Heart to take in the negative criticism. Heart to heal. Heart to overcome. Heart to keep pursing. Heart for those you encounter. You’ve come to a wall, true, but just on the other side of that wall is something new…a shift….another level. Just walk through it. I wish you could see what’s on this side. Pure JOY! Joy after hardship. Joy for not giving up. You’ll be proud-not the pride that comes from doing cool things or getting rewarded-you’ll be proud for not quitting on something YOU BELIEVED to be true, even before it was true.

I had to take a moment to accept this win [for some it’s a small win] for me, every win is a big win. I’m grateful for this moment because I understand that I probably wouldn’t have been here if I didn’t push past the obstacles. This is my third time getting featured on Junebug, and I still marvel at it. Why? I used to spend countless of hours admiring the photographers on that platform. Never ever did it cross my mind that I would be amongst them. I didn’t think that was possible for me.

I hope if you find yourself in a situation such as mine, where you’re asking all the “right” questions. I hope you don’t give up. Sometimes you’ll see something that others can not see…they can’t see it because it’s not theirs. This is your journey-don’t quit half way.

Keep on going.

with all my heart and soul. -rubi z

Grateful for Junebug Weddings and this beautiful publication of Cory + Sam’s Wedding Day. [See my blog on this wedding: here]

Publications usually do not mention associate photographers involved in a collection- A’Marie Photography, I could not have created such a rich and whole collection without you. I appreciate you a ton!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Rubi Z Photo
Event Planning – Blazeny Wedding Designs
Wedding Venue – Oceanpoint Ranch
Floral Design – TQW Designs
Cake – Franco Baked
DJ – Modern Symphony
Officiant – AVOW Wedding Ceremonies and Services
Videography – JJ Films
Favors – LaserworxSigns
Macramé – Roots Co. Macramé
Hair Styling – Ariel Shannon
Wedding Dress – BHLDN
Groom’s Apparel – ASOS Men
Woodworking – Nanette Art & Design
Rentals – Embellished Vintage Rentals
Rings – Tippy Taste