How Stepping Out on Faith Led Me to My First Paid Photography Gig!


I briefly mentioned in my Q1 recap reel that I booked my first paid photography gig but I want to share the full story because honestly, I’m still so excited and in awe of how it all fell into place.


So I went to I Believe The Concert and decided to bring my camera along with me. I hadn’t used it much this year (2024) in fact, I left it back in St. Kitts while I was in Barbados for my first semester but I decided I wanted it with me for the second semester. I hadn’t shot much at all since March last year, even before the semester started, so I was honestly a little nervous. But I kept thinking, “just bring it, just see what happens.”


I ended up having a great time at the concert, captured some amazing photos, and after I got back home, I fell back into my groove, choosing my favorites, color-correcting, adding my style until I was proud of the gallery I put together.


Then something wild happened, something I hadn’t felt before. I felt this strong nudge and honestly, I think it was God, to reach out to the organizers and share the photos with them. This is something I normally would never do as an introvert, but I decided to be bold. So I slid into their Instagram messages with a link to the gallery. I was nervous, wondering, “Did I overstep? Was I putting myself forward when I shouldn’t?” but their response was so kind. They thanked me and said they'd be in touch for future events. They even asked if they could use some of the photos (with proper credit), and I said, “Yes, of course!”


But then something even more wild happened. Shortly after, I got a message from Joel, the emcee, from his own account. He wanted to know if I had captured any photos of him in his element. I hadn’t, honestly, by that point I was taking a much-needed break (because shooting while also trying to enjoy a concert is a lot!), but we kept the conversation going.


He messaged again: He wanted to book me for another event he was going to be emceeing at! He was looking for a photographer whose style captured stories, someone who really brings their subject to life. My heart honestly skipped a beat. I messaged a close friend, called my mom, and even spam-texted my significant other. I hadn’t done a paid gig before, and I was nervous. A barrage of question flooded my mind.

How much should I charge?

What if I messed up?


I turned to a few friends for guidance, put together a quote, and I held my breath… He liked it and hired me on the spot! I leaped out of my chair and began dancing and singing with happiness, but I made sure to pause and give God the glory for this opportunity.


This is something I missed until I started drafting this blog post: I chose to pay for Pixieset even as a 'broke' college student, without a single booking on my calendar, simply to be ready and make room for God to move. I was honoring the gift He placed in me and preparing for the moment when the opportunity would come. Because I believed that when I stayed faithful and prepared, He would fill that space and He certainly did.


I bodied the event and the edits, and he loved them, in fact, he’s already been back to book me again. All this within less than a week! This is a testimony to trusting God with your gift, putting yourself forward, following His lead, and trusting that He will connect you with people who appreciate your art instead of exploit it.


I’m honestly so grateful I stepped out on faith and did something I hadn’t done before. Huge thanks to Joel for trusting me to tell his story through photos, and to the I Believe Concert organizers for creating a space where I could grow. Without them, I might not be where I am today, growing, trusting, and developing my artistry, one step at a time.