Around this time each year – you know, when you replace your old wall calendar with that new cat calendar you are so excited about – you kind of start looking back and seeing different milestone events that define the 365 days you just lived through. For Jon and I, 2016 was a fun and exciting year that started us on a journey we will never forget and redefined us as small business owners. And it all resulted from saying ‘yes’ to something I am not good at.
I’m not a big fan of change – like at all – especially extreme and drastic change, but sometimes you just can’t escape it. And sometimes, although you can’t see it in the moment, it’s facing the change that brings about great things you would never have had your eyes open to before. That’s exactly what happened to us when we allowed change to happen in our own lives and swiftly uprooted from everything we knew in Arizona and made the 1,350 mile journey to Washington state.
For four years I had been chasing my dream of being a photographer while Jon maintained the 6-4:30 job (9-5 doesn’t exist in the tractor industry). Jon had always dreamed of owning and operating his own business, but did his best to be content with the bread-winning job he was blessed with. And so that was kind of us, rolling through life and raising two beautiful kids in the desert. It wasn’t until we said ‘yes’ and took the crazy rollercoaster ride of going from ‘deciding to’ and then ‘actually moving to’ Washington in less than a month and a half that things started to come together. We were blessed with a fresh perspective and a new canvas to make our own in our new home. So I approached Jon about working together as a husband and wife team doing photography, and without much hesitation we started working towards that goal. (I mean, come on after completely changing everything in our lives, how hard is it to say yes to starting a new business too!? Anyone who has been in our shoes knows that’s not necessarily true, but the late nights and early mornings pushing for that next opportunity sure are worth it!)
So…Erica & Jon Photography was born, and the first logical choice for us was to get on the same page together with shooting and styling. And who else do you think of other than Amy & Jordan Demos when you think ‘husband and wife photography duo!?’ We decided to book flights back to Arizona to invest in a hand-on 2 day course with the all-star couple we have come to know as incredibly genuine and amazing people. This decision to invest in ourselves and our business has been an absolute game changer for us.
The entire experience, from the teaching on Photography 101, learning to grow and build a successful business, and all the great networking and relationships we built, the AJ Workshop was more than amazing! We also found it super beneficial to get ideas from Amy & Jordan on how to balance the rolls of who does what in the husband and wife business. By far, my most favorite piece of advice that we took away – or that Jon should have taken away from Jordan – is the foot massage he gives Amy while she works through post-processing after a shoot! Such great advice that I made sure to note and highlight in Jon’s notebook!!
We laughed (a LOT), we learned even more, and even shed some tears, and then photographed a gorgeous styled shoot. All of the detailed work from the talented vendors combined with the soft desert glow made our time shooting a total dream! We are so excited to be able to share our images with everyone!
Thank you to Amy & Jordan and all of the amazing vendors for such an unforgettable experience at the AJ Workshop!
“Success isn’t for the chosen few, it’s for the few who choose it” – Amy & Jordan Demos
Planning: LVL Weddings & Events || @lvlphoenix , @lvlweddings
Floral Design: AZ Flower Bar || @azflowerbar
Specialty Rentals: Fancy Lou Designs || @fancyloudesigns
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen || @latavolalinen
Paper Goods: Vee Creative AZ || @veecreativeaz
Beauty: Top Knot Beauty || @topknotbeauty / Erin Fink || @erinfinkhair / Ashley Doran || @ashleydoranmakeup
Bridal Gowns & Accessories: BHLDN Weddings || @bhldn
Menswear: Brothers Tailors || @tailors_ontatum / Q Contrary || @qcontrary_mary
Cake & Desserts: Ruze Cake House || @ruzecakehouse
Rentals: Classic Party Phoenix || @classicpartyphx
Venue: The Clayton on the Park || @claytononthepark
Two of our Favorite Photographers: Amy & Jordan Demos || @amy_demos @jordan_demos
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