The Joy of Personal Photography // Vacation Photos // Venice Beach, Florida

A couple of years ago, my in-laws bought themselves a lovely condo in Venice, Florida. Ever since my very first visit to this adorable town, I’ve wanted to show it off to everyone I know. Venice sits right on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, where the waters are warm and calm and the sunsets are vibrant and stunning. It’s the perfect place to get away for a bit and that’s exactly what I did with my mom, sister, and nephew last week.

If you haven’t been to Florida in the spring, I cannot recommend it enough. For us North Eastern-ers, winters can be harsh. I once heard someone describe it as a moody teenager. You just never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes it's cold rain, others it's sub-zero temperatures and ice storms, and, once in a while, it's so much snow that I think it will never melt! As far as Maryland photography goes, that means a lull in business that doesn’t quite pick back up until April or May. The perfect time of year to sneak away for a little bit and soak up that sun!

For this trip, I did something I haven’t done in a while. I brought my camera.

I’m sure that seems crazy to you.

I’m a professional photographer! I own a photography business! Don’t I take my camera with me everywhere?

Well the truth is, I don’t. In the past few years, taking personal photos for myself, my family, and my friends has faded a bit. Like any business owner, I prioritize my clients. If someone trusts me with their wedding photography, they deserve my undivided attention. If someone puts me in charge of their family photos, they expect my best work. It wasn’t until recently that I realized all of these things are not mutually exclusive!

I can take photos of the special moments happening in my life and give the utmost care and attention to the work I do to capture those moments for others. In fact, I would argue that personal photography doesn't just not hurt professional photography - it benefits it!

This trip is a fantastic example. Lately, as I’ve been doing my research, prime lenses have been popping up quite a bit. I’ve seen several photographers eagerly claim the 50mm prime lens as their favorite. I have one in my arsenal, but hadn’t used it in a while. So, I made sure to grab it as I was packing my bag for Florida. There was a beautiful opportunity staring me in the face. I could become reacquainted with this favorite lens, all while capturing vacation memories.

While I didn’t drag my camera around with me to every activity, I absolutely made sure to bring it to our sunset picnic on Caspersen Beach. My neglected lens got a little love and I got to play around with my settings without having to worry about messing up. As a bonus, I snapped up one of my very favorite models. I just love that little boy, and seeing the photos my 50mm was able to capture of him made me re-love the lens, too!