Conversations with Vanessa Freeman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Freeman.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My photography journey started about 13 years ago. It started as a hobby, mostly. At the time I was a hairstylist and makeup artist. I started doing photo shoots for my hair and makeup clients, to showcase my work. This is how my photography hobby evolved from a hobby to one of my greatest passions. I soon realized that I wanted to dedicate all of my time and energy to pursuing photography, so I let go of hair and makeup to focus on photography.

I started with portraits and weddings, but mostly portraits. In the last 3 years, I’ve been focused on weddings and elopements. I’m now a full-time wedding and elopement photographer. It’s kind of a dream come true, being full-time. The journey wasn’t a straight path, but I was determined, and never gave up, and here we are now.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was not a smooth road, lots of ups and downs during this journey. When you work independently, you have to give it your all, every single day, or you risk losing everything you’ve worked for. My family has always been my number one priority.

This made giving my all to photography very difficult. I waited for my daughter to get a little older, so I could dedicate more time to my photography business. Now she’s 7 and I’m able to focus on my work more, which is how I finally reached my goal of being a full-time photographer.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I now specialize in wedding and elopement photography. In the last couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to capture the most beautiful elopements in Colorado. I’ve fallen in love with elopement photography, so much so that I’ve decided to transition from large weddings to only doing intimate elopements.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I’m not sure I believe in luck, but I believe in karma and manifestation. I live by a quote by Thoth the Atlantean (The Emerald Tablets) “As above, so below. As within, so without.”

Contact Info:

• Website: blissfulstudiosphotography.com
• Instagram: @blissfulstudiosphotography

Image Credits
Flavia Molinari (Portrait photo)