Inspiration.

What a word, packed with so much meaning.

Definition of INSPIRATION

To me inspiration comes from those in your life that make you want to try harder than ever before. They are those who move you, both in mind and in heart to be more than average. To improve and to aspire. The people who have inspired me come from all walks of life, not just the photography world. Here are a list of a few who have inspired me personally and a few who inspire me artistically.

My Memaw.  The inspiration I drew from her was to always treat others with kindness, never become full of yourself, and always love no matter the chance of pain or of the other person choosing to not love in return. It is better to have lived fully and taken a few risk with your heart than to regret at the end of your life not having loved, forgiven, and ending your short life on earth with no one to remember your story.

My Dad. His work ethic was always something of awe to me. He never knew how to give up or quit and most of the time he gave more than he received when it came to work. I used to be a little jealous as a child of how much time he put in to be the best at his job, but then I became a business woman and realized, that’s what it takes to survive. So when it gets tough and I feel spread to thin, I remember I come from tough stock that never gives up or gives in.

My Mom. The prayers that use to wake me up early in the morning. Whether a prayer of desperation or a cry of praise, it was a wonderful thing to hear. Even to this day she is always reading, listening, or quoting the word of God. She admits at times it is hard to have faith but she keeps praying and that is what makes her strong. Strength comes from admitting weakness but not giving up in the middle of it.

My Hubby Joe. For living with me for over a decade and not having ran away or died. Seriously. I love you babe. He has never given up. I never have to wonder if he loves me, he lets me know. He works hard and never complains. He cooks a mean steak, eats sushi, and can tell me yea or nay on an image and then explain why. He can calm me down in a split second or make me mad in half that time. He is the better half of me and I thank God for him.

My Best Friend & Sister in Heart Amanda. Wow, over 12 years as friends and we haven’t killed each other yet. She has been there for me when I didn’t expect it, she has ask me hard questions, inspired me to change, pushed me to live and never let me sink into nothingness when life got hard. She has seen me strong and weak. Smart and very stupid. Country and pretending hard not to be. Through it all she has never ask me to be more than just me. She inspires me with her strength and sometimes she is strong for longer than she should be, but she is never to scared to  break. For all these things, I am thankful.

My Clients. For taking a chance on me, for trusting me to know how to make you look amazing, and for accepting me as I am, you inspire me. I am there on some of the most important occasions that will ever be in your lives and you believe in me enough to let me do what I do. You make me proud and if I have not said it recently, my clients totally rock. For real.

My list of artistic inspiration is one I love. Each of the following artist has a wonderful nature about them, their work is amazing and they are true, not boastful, not full of themselves. They give back and help others, in turn, the world gives back to them and they soar. Love it.

Jerry Ghionis. Amazing images that will move you. I mean bring tears to your eyes and make you want to change the world kind of move you. He blows me away, yet he is so funny and down to earth.He is a master at his craft.

Zach & Jody. How stinking cute are these two. So adorable, plus an amazing vision. I love checking out their work and being inspired by how true they are. Plus they have a Creative Live weekend coming up next weekend. Hellooooo sign up if you haven’t already, clear your plate, and glue yourself to the computer for one inspiration packed fun time. I mean, it’s free and what is better than free inspiration, huh, huh, huh??

Jasmine Star. Well you know I love me some Jasmine. I love that she is just real. Honest about the struggles, the challenges, and the fun side of the business to. Her work is a wonderful topping to her personality and her use of available light makes me push harder to get it right every day. I will be seeing her in Dallas in February for a dose of healthy business advice at The Fix. Looking forward to it.

Justin and Mary. These two, oh my. LOVE them. They are one of the first blogs I check every day. If you are looking for inspiration and have never heard of them, click, click the link, click it nowwwwww. You will fall in love with their charisma  and charm. Check out their Pancake Sessions for tips and some way useful knowledge about photography and conquering the light. They are a do not miss.

Jose Villa. I mean the man shoots film, like creamy perfection his images capture you. It is amazing. He is uber talented and it shows. In ever single image. I love his work, it inspires me to go buy another film camera and give it a whirl. Although, I could never be as good as him, he just amazes me. For real.

So there are my inspirations. They are what drives me to keep improving, to keep learning. To me, they are the cream of the crop, both in my personal life and in the world of photography, for me these are the people who make it worth it every day. I challenge you to sit down and figure out your inspirations…………..and then, remember to thank them.

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I am a Wedding & Lifestyle photographer, Spider hater, hot tea drinker, sarcasm loving, mom of two boys, and center of my sexy hubby’s world. I truly believe there is no better job than to capture the memories of the most special times in a client’s life. I believe in passion, in love, in forever lasting romance, in hope, in joy, and in laughing until you almost pee yourself, because laughter heals the heart. I believe the glass is half full…and even if it really is half empty, I’d rather not know. I choose a smile over a frown, tears of joy over tears of sorrow, and I believe that brokenness makes your stronger, not weaker, so take the negative life may throw your way, and turn it into the stepping block you need to climb higher in life, always keep yourself at the higher level instead of lowering yourself down to the level of others.

I service all of Louisiana including, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Carlyss, Eunice, Alexandria, Shreveport, Lafayette, New Orleans, Monroe, and  Natchitoches. Serving all of Texas including, Beaumont, Dallas, Huston, and Orange Texas. Serving Mississippi and Alabama. Destinations anywhere including, Florida, California, New York, Cancun, and other destinations abroad.  Check out my website here: http://suzygphotography.com

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