Hi everyone! I'm Amanda. Hopefully you all have time on your hands (and hopefully this is even allowed lol). I'm here after a couple of signs from the universe, and I don't know where to start so hopefully I don't confuse you all😅 I was working full time for a tech startup and was let go last week after working there for 7 years. It was a total gut punch and I'm really upset and nervous because my husband and I bought our first home 4 months ago, so it came at a really sucky time. Here is where video comes in: I started my content capturing (I hate content creator title lol) side hustle last March - instagram.com/beyondyourday. I've always loved editing videos, worked in the wedding industry before, and I live in NJ where you unfortunately need multiple incomes to be able to afford a home 🙃 I love content capturing and editing so I've been REALLY tempted to get into videography. Here's where the universe signs come in: I wasn't happy at my 9-5 and have been trying to decide if I should take the leap into videography and now with being let go, I feel like this may have been the push I needed. I also came across this podcast and page last week, so it's all some coincidental timing. The only thing holding me back from taking this leap is 1: my crippling imposter syndrome 2: I'm not exactly a gearhead and don't know where to start as far as equipment goes I am trying to push myself every day - even posting this is a little terrifying - so I'm hoping I can come back to this post in a few months and be really proud of how far I've come. If you made it this far and didn't stop after seeing "content creator"... thank you 🫶

Uhh, *ahem* good evening. Thank you all for being here today as we celebrate my acceptance into your fine and noble community. I am Jared, son of Barb and Keith, Shooter of Moments and Basketballs, Prince of the SD Cards, and Keeper of Extra Batteries. I've been a full-time photographer for 10 years now, primarily in the commercial and documentary space these last few years. I do the occasional wedding, but only when the client doesn't try to negotiate my rate because in this house we don't negotiate with terrorists. Lately I've been doing more filmmaking for clients and private commissions, as well as social media CoNtEnT when I have the space but lack the self-respect. (Mostly kidding about that last one.) I'm bored with the commercial world, to be honest. Brands just don't mean anything to me beyond making sure my bills are paid and giving me the opportunity to flex my creative talents. To cure my ennui I'm making a more concerted effort to carve out a space for myself in the wedding industry. The work I've done for past wedding clients has always carried an extra bit of weight to it. Knowing that these photos and films are going to be shown at numerous life events for my couples and their loved ones is deeply rewarding. Birthday parties, family reunions, and yes, even funerals. People are always going to get married. The world is moving at a faster and faster pace, but I feel a shift happening in some corners of the broader culture. They're turning toward more meaningful storytelling, and there's no story as old as the tale of love. And though I am sometimes a reluctant cynic, I'm also a hopeful romantic. So I want to capture the stories that really matter, with zero care for whatever ROI or KPI someone has in mind. Looking forward to exploring how to do that better with all of you.