April 5, 2024 • 52 mins
Love, Romance, Adventures... oh my! On this episode of the Contagious Victories Podcast, Tori is joined by Aj Webb from Adrianna Joy Photography. Aj walks us through her #VictoryStory of how she founded Adrianna Joy Photography and the obstacles she overcame in order to persevere as an adventurous elopement photographer for nearly 10 years.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from a seasoned photographer!
Find Aj online: www.AdriannaJoyPhotography.com
Follow Aj on instagram: www.instagram.com/MrsAdriannaWebb
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Victoria B. Glass (00:00):
Welcome to the Contagious Victory's
podcast. Each week, we talkinspiration, explore
possibilities, and shareinsights from creative creative
perspectives. I'm Tori Blackmon,and I'm here to remind you that
your purpose in life is tocelebrate the victories because
victories are contagious. Hithere, and welcome back to the
(00:24):
Contagious Victories podcast. Myname is Victoria B. Glass, and I
am so incredibly grateful tohave you tuning in and listening
to the show today.
Now I am going to get into areally wonderful conversation
that I had with a friend by thename of Adrianna Webb. She's
known by her friends as Aj. Butbefore I do, I just want to take
(00:46):
a minute to truly say thank you.Yeah. Thank you, You, who is
listening to this podcast rightnow, whether you are tuning in
in the car, on the way tosomewhere important, like a
meeting, or to the coffee shop,or you who is out working out at
the gym, or walking their sweetpet around the neighborhood.
(01:07):
However, you have invited meinto the moment. I really
appreciate you giving me yourear. The thing is I've been
feeling super grateful latelybecause I have been connecting
with more people through theshow. New guests, new listeners,
and it still just amazes me whensomeone shares the show or tags
me in a post on their Instagram.It inspires me, and it makes me
(01:30):
want to continue to show up andto add value to your life in
bigger ways and to be a betterperson myself by bringing you
these episodes of ContagiousVictories. These stories by real
people that I've been inspiredby and that I hope inspire you
to be better too.
So thank you, truly. Alright.Like I mentioned before, I am
(01:55):
talking with my friend Aj today.Like many of you who are
listening, Aj is the founder ofa creative business. She made
her childhood dream of becominga photographer true with her
business, Adriana JoyPhotography.
Aj is here to tell us all aboutwhat it's like to capture
weddings and adventurouselopements. I don't wanna keep
(02:19):
you waiting on this convo, solet's hear my conversation with
Aj Webb.
I have another remarkable guestwith me on the show today. I am
(02:39):
speaking with Aj Webb, who isthe founder of Adriana Joy
Photography, and she serves theMidwest and anywhere with her
adventurous elopementphotography and couples
photography. So I'm so excitedto dive in to her victory story
today. Aj, welcome to the show.
Aj Webb (02:59):
Thank you for having me. I am so excited to be here.
Victoria B. Glass (03:03):
So Aj, our story and friendship began a
couple years back when we raninto each other, not just at a
conference, but at Target out ofall the places. And the reason
you stood out, not just yourbusiness, but you stood out is
because you were so incrediblykind, and you spoke up to me and
my husband when we were shoppingin Target, which we had no idea
(03:26):
what we were there for or, like,what we were doing, but and you
just said, hey. I know you.You're you're Tori. Right?
And I was like, yes. Hi. So justthat courage that you showed
just to reach out to a completestranger in a city across from
where you live, so because youwere in a city in a Target that
you probably didn't frequentvery often. So, I knew right
(03:46):
away that I would be keepingtabs with you, and hopefully,
that was the beginning of afriendship and look at us.
Aj Webb (03:52):
Mhmm.
Victoria B. Glass (03:52):
Years later and here we are. Sure. Well,
tell me more about yourself.What is the number one thing
that you enjoy about being aphotographer and a creative?
Aj Webb (04:04):
Oh my goodness. I love basically everything about it. I
love, being able to set my ownschedule and have flexibility,
and I love just being able tomeet new people, even though
sometimes, like, as anintrovert, that can be kind of
scary. I think it's super fun tojust get to meet new people and
(04:25):
get to, like, showcase who theyare, as an individual and as a
couple because everyone's sounique. So I just love getting
to do that.
And, obviously, also, because Ido travel sometimes for my work,
I love getting to do that,getting to go to new cities and
new states and all of thosethings. It's really fun getting
to, like, see different culturesand try new food and all that
(04:47):
stuff too.
Victoria B. Glass (04:48):
Oh, yeah. Well, on your website, when I
was reading through it lastnight, I noticed in your bio
that you said you've known for areally long time what you wanted
to do with your life. Can youelaborate a little bit about
that and just tell me what allyou had to overcome to get to
the place that you are in rightnow? And for all of our
listeners, I just wannaelaborate a little bit more.
(05:10):
You've been doing this for 10years almost.
Right? I mean, a lot of mycreative friends, they don't
have that victory story. So Iwant you to tell me a little bit
about, just all of thechallenges that you've had to go
through, but it started at ayoung age. At 11, you knew you
wanted to be a creative. Solet's go as far back as that if
you don't mind.
Aj Webb (05:29):
Yeah. Absolutely. I love talking about it. Yeah. So
long story short, I was in, avery close family friend's
wedding, when I was, yeah, 11 or12, and I was a junior
bridesmaid.
And wedding on went on likenormal, and, at the reception,
which was at a family friend'shouse, I was playing with
(05:49):
someone's DSLR camera. And I wastaking photos, you know, of,
like, the tables and whatever.And I was just thinking around
in, like, this little cornerthat we were in, and the person
whose camera it was looked atthem and said that I had a great
eye. And then later in thenight, he actually gave me,
like, a little, like, pocketcamera. And that was my first
camera that I ever got.
(06:11):
And I took it with me prettymuch everywhere. I always had it
with me, and I had, like overthe years, I had a ton of those
little pocket cameras. And Itook photos on family trips,
school events, really anythingand everything. I definitely
documented, a lot. And so itkind of started there just like
an interest in documenting mylife.
(06:34):
And it wasn't something that itwas like, you know, I hadn't
started like a blog. Like, itwasn't anything crazy like that,
but it was just for myself tojust even have those memories,
which is super fun to be able tolook back on now. So yeah. And
then probably in, like, thelater half of my high school
years, a friend of mine and I,we would go out and, like, take
photos of each other quiteoften. We would sometimes just
(06:58):
do kind of portraits.
Sometimes we would do themedlittle shoots and things like
that just for fun. And we just,like, took them of each other
just kind of to practice. Onceit was, you know, getting to the
end of high school and you'rekind of having to decide, like,
what you're gonna do next, Iknew that I wanted to stay in
Dubuque where I'm from, and thereason for that was because my
(07:18):
family was going through, anadoption process at the time,
actually, for my youngestbrother, Lincoln. So he, at the
time when I was graduating, wasnot home yet. And so, I didn't
really want to move away andhave it be a situation where
once he was home, he didn't knowme or wasn't super familiar
(07:39):
because I would only be home,you know, maybe on the weekend
or maybe for holidays and thingslike that.
And so I had decided to, stayclose to home so that I could
actually be a part of his lifeand actually feel like a sister
and not feel, just like somerandom person in his life who is
in and out. And so-
Victoria B. Glass (07:58):
Now is this the brother that recently, I
think, turned 16?
Just for the timeline.
Aj Webb (08:06):
Yep, Yeah. So I decided to stay close to home, and I
ended up just going to a localcommunity college. Mainly,
honestly, because I just at thetime, I felt the pressures of
going to college. I don't knowthat I really felt in my soul
that it was, like, the rightchoice for me, especially
because I knew that I wanted todo photography. And I really had
no idea what that was gonna looklike.
(08:26):
I just knew that I like takingphotos. I didn't really, like,
think of the business part of itat all. And so I just went to
this community college for 2years for their business
program. And I don't necessarilyregret going, but I definitely
don't think that it was, like,necessary to go, especially
because the business programabsolutely was just geared
(08:47):
towards, like, corporatebusinesses, where they have, you
know, like, 500 employees orsomething. And it really had,
like, nothing to do with smallbusinesses, and there wasn't
really much that I could takeaway from those.
Like, one of the examples that Ialways give is they taught you
how to, like, you know, do themath of figuring out, like, how
many staples you need for, like,the corporation of 500 people.
(09:08):
And I'm like, yeah. I don't needto know that because, like, I'm
one person. Like, I'm gonna beable to keep track of, like,
those little expenses a loteasier for myself than if I was
obviously, you know, having tokeep, like, a locker full of,
like, all of these supplies andthings like that. So, anyway,
after that, I was just, yeah,doing photography as more just
(09:29):
like a side gig.
Throughout college, I wasworking, part time at a local
grocery store.
Victoria B. Glass (09:35):
Okay.
Aj Webb (09:36):
But I had officially, like, started my business,
quote, unquote, very late, 2013,so the same year that I had
graduated high school. And Ijust started doing sessions, you
know, for, like, $50. They wereawful. They were so bad, but I'm
so thankful that people, youknow, took a chance on me. I did
(09:56):
back then, like, anything andeverything.
So I think my first couple ofsessions were, like, family
sessions and, like, a genderreveal and, like, things like
that. Just, like, things that Idon't typically do anymore.
Victoria B. Glass (10:06):
Well, how fun was that though? Like, if you
can think back to what you feltlike in that first year, just,
like, people giving you yourmoney to do do your creative
passion. Like Yeah. Can youelaborate a little bit about,
like, how you were feeling that1st year?
Aj Webb (10:20):
Yeah. Yeah. I think every time that someone booked
me, I think I was just soexcited that someone was, like,
willing to book me when Ivirtually had no no experience
in that way. I mean, I had beentaking photos, like I said, for
years, but, like, obviously,documenting, like, your
school's, like, basketballbasketball game is very
different than taking, like,family portraits that might be
(10:42):
hung on someone's wall. So Ithink I just felt super lucky.
And honestly, like, I still feelthat way. Like, honestly, every
time I get booked, like, Iliterally just, like, say praise
God, and I'm just so thankfulthat I get booked because, like,
I do I do I feel so lucky evenover 10 years now later. So,
yeah, I think it was just like awild ride. I think I like I
said, I just really had no ideawhat I was doing
(11:04):
besides taking photosSo I was really learning as I went. That's the way
to go.
Victoria B. Glass: And that's wonderful. That's thethe best part. (11:13):
undefined
Aj Webb (11:14):
I think I'm a very hands on person in that way, so
not that I couldn't have gone toschool for photography
specifically. But I think,learning as I have gone on,
like, is something that I'm veryproud of. I yeah. Like, I I just
know, like, I'm the one who putin all of the work for what I
did, and, like, I've been theone to, like, yeah, I don't
(11:34):
know, learn and grow throughout,and it wasn't, like, handed to
me.
So, yeah, like, I'm very proudof that. But yeah. Anyway, so,
like, things like that. Myfriend who had been, her and I
had been, like, exchangingshoots, like, she helped me
learn how to edit in Lightroomand, like, things like that that
I just literally had no idea,like, how to do anything in
there. And she kind of gave me acouple of pointers and that it
was just a lot of trial anderror from there.
(11:56):
And then, continuing on, I gotmarried myself in 2015. Did not
have, the best experiencephotography wise for my wedding.
Long story short, thephotographer we had booked ended
up backing out 2 weeks before.We had to find someone last
minute. That person ended upbeing way better than the
original person was going to be,but it was still, like, a hot
(12:19):
mess.
And so I've taken my mistakesthat I made at my own wedding
when I was very young, and I'veapplied that to, helping my own
couples to, like, not make thesame mistake and just kind of
showing them the value of havingsolid vendors who know what
they're doing, and things likethat. And so, yeah. Anyway and
(12:40):
then in, late 2017, I,officially became an LLC with
the state of Iowa, which wasvery exciting. It felt like a
really, really big step tobecome, like, a legal business.
But I had been, you know,dabbling in it for a couple of
years at that point, so I feltlike it was kind of, time to do
that.
(13:01):
I highly recommend, you know, ifyou're a newer photographer
starting out listening to thisthat you become an LLC, earlier
rather than later. The soonerthat you can legally back
yourself up, the better. Again,I was just very uneducated, so I
just didn't know. I just was,you know, doing things as I
learned them.
Victoria B. Glass (13:17):
To cut in, a lot of times, just depending on
where you are, it's it sounds alot scarier to become an LLC
just because you've heard otherbusinesses your whole life with
that little, you know, LLC,those letters behind their name.
But it's really just a Googlesearch and you'll be off, you
know, stepping in the rightdirection towards making that
legal step. So, yes, if you'relistening to this and you're
(13:40):
like, okay. I know I need to,but I haven't yet, then it's
actually a lot easier done thanwaiting. So
Aj Webb (13:47):
Mhmm.
Victoria B. Glass (13:47):
Yes. Go ahead and Yeah. And Google that. So
Aj Webb (13:50):
Yeah. Highly recommend. Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (13:52):
Yeah.
Aj Webb (13:53):
Yeah. And then I guess jumping back one step. So in
2016, I started taking onweddings, and that was not
something that I really, like,planned on. I'm not one of those
people who necessarily couldsay, like, oh, because I had the
experience that I had with mywedding photographer, that's
what made me want to get intoweddings. I think that
(14:13):
definitely became a reason thathas pushed me forward in
weddings, but I think itinitially really started, just
because someone asked.
There was actually 2 differentcouples at the church that my
husband and I go to who asked ifI would do their wedding. And
I'd only second shot, like, acouple of weddings at that
point. So I really had no idea,what I was doing for weddings
(14:34):
since they're a whole differentballgame. But, thankfully, those
two couples and then actually athird couple, ended up booking
me for that year, which waswonderful. And the growth from
the first wedding to the thirdwedding itself even was crazy.
And so I'm so thankful thatespecially those early days
couples that they, yeah, took achance on me because, like, it
(14:55):
could've, I think, been a lotworse than it was. So I'm really
glad that those experiences,like, went the way that they
did. And I learned, like, somuch at each one. And so from
there, I kind of just was like,alright. I'm just gonna, like,
keep doing weddings.
Like, I really like this. Thisis a lot of fun. And so, yeah,
I've been shooting weddingssince then. I think this year
will be my 9th year shootingweddings.
Victoria B. Glass (15:16):
Oh, okay.
Aj Webb (15:18):
Which is wild. It feels really exciting to get close to
being, 10 years into doing,weddings. I've done, tons of
different kinds of weddings.I've done, you know, courthouse
ones. I've done ones that are ina barn.
I've done, yeah, ones where Ihave to, like, fly across the
country. Like, I've done a lotof different types of weddings.
And I've found over the yearsthat the smaller, more intimate
(15:39):
weddings where it's, you know,25 to 50 people at most type of
weddings, whether it's in, youknow, a backyard or it's at,
like, a national park. Those aredefinitely the type of weddings
that light my soul on fire. Ilove getting to do those
weddings for various reasons,but I think mainly it's just
because the day is just so it'sa lot slower.
(16:02):
It's more intentional, which Ilove that. I love that we're not
necessarily, like, rushingaround trying to get, you know,
x, y, and z covered in this day.And then I think I think it's
nice too to just see, like, thecouple enjoy themselves, and
they're not necessarily, like,exhausted or, like, bogged down
by feeling like there's a1000000 people that they have to
talk to and a 1000000 thingsthey have to do. So those are
(16:24):
the days that I definitelyreally enjoy, doing. And I've
loved all of the weddings thatI've done, so it's not to talk
down on any of those.
It's just No. These aredefinitely, like, the favorite
ones that I like to do. So,yeah, that's kind of where I'm
at right now. Just continuing onshooting, smaller weddings and a
couple of adventurous elopementsand things like that.
Victoria B. Glass (16:45):
Can you elaborate a little bit about
what all that entails? I thinkit's so rad because it really
does it seems like just allaround the bride, the
photographer, the family. Like,it really checks all the boxes
as far as getting thosebeautiful photos that, you know,
can be on your wall or on yourInstagram or wherever. You know,
they're beautiful, and they'rejust so know, there there's just
(17:13):
so much drama in them and Iwould love it. Yeah.
And then also, like, as a bride,you get to have that special,
like you said, intimate momentwith just your husband in a
kinda like a honeymoon settingalready in some cases. Yeah. And
then just I don't know. I thinkthey're so cool. Like, it's just
it blows my mind that people getto do that as a job and then
(17:34):
also for their wedding.
Aj Webb (17:35):
It Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (17:35):
It's so new. I love how things have evolved.
Aj Webb (17:37):
Yeah. That's super fun.
Victoria B. Glass (17:39):
Are people really getting married, or is it
kind of different each time?
Aj Webb (17:43):
I think it obviously depends per wedding. So for
instance, I have one coming upin a few months here where they
actually had their wedding inMexico, but with, all of the
legalities of getting marriedsomewhere else, they didn't
technically get legally married,but they just had, you know,
their traditional type weddingwith their friends and family.
(18:04):
And then they're hiring me fortheir quote, unquote elopement
is what we're calling it, wherethey're, actually, like, legally
signing the papers and having asmall ceremony with basically
just them and their officiant.And so I think it really
depends. I think it depends on,like, where you're getting
married.
Sometimes it's just easier to doa more, quote, unquote,
(18:25):
elopement, or maybe it doesn'tend up with, you know, signed
papers at the end of it, and youjust do that once you get home.
Yeah. But, yeah, most of theones I think that I've done have
been, like, legal ceremonies aswell as I've done a lot of,
basically, just bridal sessionswhere the couple will, you know,
maybe have their ceremony at acourthouse, or maybe they'll
(18:46):
have, like, a small backyardshindig or something like that.
And then we will go off into,you know, the mountains or
wherever they want to have theirphotos taken and do their
elopement, like photos therewhere they're dressed up and all
that. So it looks, you know,very much like a normal wedding
day would be, but it might justnot have all of the traditional,
(19:07):
other extra things going on.
Victoria B. Glass (19:09):
So Yeah. And the people and all the yeah. I
love it. Yeah. Well, that wasjust something that popped up
into my mind, and I was like,I've gotta ask her that.
Aj Webb (19:16):
Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (19:17):
Then, another thing that I just thought of, so
for these elopement weddings andthese elopement sessions, what's
all in your photography bag? Doyou carry any extra, like, Tide
to Go pins or anything like thatthat are specifically for the
more adventurous sessions thatyou have?
Aj Webb (19:33):
Sure. I feel like I actually almost in some ways
pack less for my adventureweddings, than I do for my,
like, local to more traditionalweddings. I think mainly, I just
have maybe, like, an extra pairof, like, socks or something on
me. I think I also will have,rain gear. So I have, like, a
(19:56):
thing that goes over my camera,and I sometimes will have, you
know, maybe gloves or somesomething like that to help, you
know, protect myself in casethere were to be weather that we
maybe weren't expecting, versus,like, a more traditional wedding
where there might be, another,like, option of where we could
be at.
Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (20:15):
That would be nice.
Aj Webb (20:15):
Things like that. So, yeah, I think mainly just, yeah,
like, my normal stuff. And Ithink, yeah, like I said, it's
it's more actually my localweddings that I have my, like,
go bag that has, yeah, like, aTide type pen. I have, crochet
hooks for helping get, like, youknow, the rights, like, beat her
getting speeded up, yeah, herbuttoned up, things like that.
(20:38):
So I have, like, you know, BandAids.
I have all that type of stuff inmy normal bag. But because,
typically, when I do adventureweddings, I'm, you know, flying,
I can't necessarily bring all ofthat extra stuff. And,
typically, we don't need it toobecause, typically in those
situations, the couple is morethan okay with, you know, maybe
getting a little bit dirty.Usually, they're dressed, you
know, the bottom, like, coupleof inches might just be a little
(21:00):
bit dirty from walking around.And so we don't really need,
like, a thing like a Tide penbecause they're just kind of go
with the flow.
They're like, if it gets dirty,it gets dirty. If it doesn't,
that's fine too. So
Victoria B. Glass (21:09):
It's so wonderful how the more kinda,
like, extreme the landscape and,like, the area that you're,
like, photographing, the kinda,like, less you need, and I love
that because it just shows offthe love even more. And in your
photos, I was looking throughthem this morning, They are so
gorgeous and the love justshines through, and I love the
(21:32):
work that you do. You are sotalented. And, another thing
that I just remembered, Inoticed a lot of black and white
photos that you do. Is that apress preference, like a
personal preference?
Tell me a little bit about that.
Aj Webb (21:44):
Yeah. Yeah. It's definitely a personal
preference. I think, obviously,every photographer does it
differently. I don't do, like, ablack and white copy for every
photo.
It's really just, like, vibes,basically. I just will go
through and be like, that photowould look sick in black and
white. And sometimes I'll also,like, add some grain to it to
make it look more filmy. So,yeah, I think I don't know. I
(22:08):
think sometimes black and whitecan just almost tell a little
bit of a different story.
And I think it makes it,sometimes more, like, romantic
and things like that. I alwaysgive a color copy so that if
they want a color copy, theyhave that as well. But, yeah, I
just I I don't know. There'ssomething about a black and
white to me, and I just yeah. Ilove it.
Victoria B. Glass (22:26):
So You made me like black and white
again. Like, I fell in love withit all over again looking at
those photos and Yeah. You'rereally good at it. You do know
which ones are sick in black andwhite. Like, I like I like that.
Aj Webb (22:38):
Yeah. Years ago, it wasn't super intentional, I
think, initially. But years ago,I started doing black and white
for every other photo on myInstagram feed. I don't know if
you've noticed that, but I do ablack and white and then a color
and then a black and white and acolor. And I've done that for
years, and I think it's amixture for me of it helps keep
my Instagram feed very cleanlooking, but also, like yeah.
(22:59):
Like I said, I do really lovethe black and white photos. I'm
a sucker for them. So it helpsme to be able to, like, show
those off too.
Victoria B. Glass (23:06):
It is another way that you stand out in a very
authentic way that is Aj. So Ireally liked that. I wanted to
ask about that. Alright. Well,tell me a little bit about, I
guess, your example of youreveryday work week. One of the
things in the last couple weeksthat we've been doing, and we've
we've been having awesome littleZoom calls where we're just
coworking and things like that.
(23:27):
Is that something you've alwaysdone to establish fun in your
work week, or are there otherthings? Tell me a little bit
about your work week.
Aj Webb (23:35):
Yeah. Yeah. No. The Zoom calls, the coworking calls,
I feel like that's been probablyunder a year that I've been
doing that, and it just kind ofstarted with, yeah, just wanting
to, like, have some people totalk to every, you know, every
now and then to, have somecompany while you work. And
that's been super fun.
I've really, enjoyed getting tocowork with, you know, friends
(23:57):
all over the United States, andjust get a lot of things checked
off of our to do list as well.So, yeah, I as of right now, my
work schedule typically isMonday through Friday. In my off
season, I have been doing, alittle bit more time off where
I've been working, just Mondaythrough Thursday just for the
fact that in my busy season,sometimes I'm working 6 or 7
(24:20):
days a week. And so I just liketo, when I have the opportunity,
give myself, a little bit ofextra time off, to prepare, you
know, myself for the busyseason. And, yeah, I think I
just typically will, sit downand, just mainly look through my
emails.
That's how I start my day eachday. And then I have worked
(24:43):
really hard, recently on givingmyself tasks per day so that I
kind of have direction on whatI'm going to do. So right now in
my, off season, quote, unquote,an off season just means that
I'm not out taking photos, like,every week, like I typically am
when I'm in my busy season. Iwill do, tasks like working on
(25:06):
guides for my clients orupdating things on my back end,
like my, you know, my emails ormy website and things like that.
So the last few months, I'vebeen working really hard on
getting a lot of those tasksdone because, I'm about to enter
a busy spurt here soon.
And once I'm in that, then I'mmainly just gonna be, in my
editing cave as I call it. Andso once I have sessions to edit,
(25:29):
that's pretty much what I focusmainly on other than, obviously,
keeping up with client emailsand things like that. So, yeah,
my workdays are, like, prettysimple. I feel like they look
the same pretty, you know,pretty much every day. I do like
to schedule, if I can, like, acoworking call once a week or
once every other week ifpossible, just because having
(25:49):
that time where we can connectwith, you know, each other is
super fun, but also have thatdedicated time to just zone in
and really just, get, like,solid work done is super fun
too.
Victoria B. Glass (26:00):
It's helped me with just not being so
lonely. Like, I have an editingcave too, and, even though we
work on different types ofphotography and and videography
and media and stuff, it can getreally lonely. Even just like I
love being in my house. I don'ttake it for granted. But
sometimes it's like, I haven'tseen anyone besides my husband
in, like, days.
(26:20):
Yeah. So I, I've really enjoyedthe coworking calls, and I'm
looking forward to getting on tomore. Sometimes I can make it,
sometimes I can't, but if I'm ifI'm available, I'm there. And
Yeah. You've really just helpedme in that way of, of being that
kind friend.
Like, you didn't target that onetime. Yeah. Yeah. Well, speaking
of editing caves, what do you doyou keep anything special in
(26:43):
yours to keep it nice when youare in that that zone? You got,
like, a candle or anything like,you know, that?
Aj Webb (26:50):
No. It's not cute. I have blackout curtains, and so I
just keep those. And, because Iprefer to have it as dark as
possible so I can see my screenbetter. And
so I can see my screen better.
Victoria B. Glass (27:02):
Oh, ok.
Aj Webb (27:02):
It's definitely not, like aesthetic by any means,
but, yeah, I close the curtainsand typically I just have, like,
a drink or 2 next to me to helpkeep me, like, hydrated and,
like, also just give me energy.And, yeah, I really just kind
of, you know, zone out intothat. I'll typically, listen to,
like, music or a podcast, orI'll put on, like, a show or
(27:23):
something on my phone, so that Iam, you know, somewhat
entertained while I'm working.Yeah. And it just helps me to
stay, locked in while I do it.
And I just I I always laugh whenI call my editing cave just
because, yeah, if you come overand you see it and it's just
black, people sometimes thinkit's kinda funny. But it really
helps me to, yeah, like, see myscreen, like I said. And I've
(27:46):
had years where I'll mainlyedit, like, in the evening,
because it is darker. So I'vehad times like that where, I'm
not really feeling, like, theediting you know, in the editing
zone during the day. So maybesometimes I'll take, like, the
afternoon off, and then I'llwork the evening so that, one,
so it's darker, but alsosometimes I do I do just work,
(28:07):
better in the evening.
So, yeah, I'll just be in myediting cave,
Victoria B. Glass (28:11):
which is That's a good tip.
Aj Webb (28:12):
Funny because I love it.
Victoria B. Glass (28:13):
No. I like that. And I love having my
little area where I know that ismy work zone. Just like
mentally, it seems like a spotthat I, like, park myself in
because that's where I go to toI mean, this is it right here.
Yeah. But one of the things thatI do kinda find myself getting
annoyed with is the reflectionof this wall or this window on
(28:34):
my screen. And I also don'twant, you know, to move my room
around, so I need to get someblackout curtains.
Aj Webb (28:41):
Amazon, man. They're great.
Victoria B. Glass (28:43):
Yeah. I mean, I thought about it for sleep,
but I've never thought about itfor editing.
Aj Webb (28:47):
yea
Victoria B. Glass (28:48):
that's good.
Aj Webb (28:48):
Yeah. It's super helpful. It definitely, like,
transforms the streams. Like,right now, the sun is coming
through the windows in myoffice, which is great. I love
it.
But, yeah, when I'm trying toedit and trying to see, you
know, my photos really clearly,it makes it harder. So, yeah, I
like to shut the curtains and beable to, yeah, turn up my
brightness on my computer andjust zone into that. So yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (29:10):
Hey. Everyone knows themselves and how they
work, and I love exchanging tipsbecause sometimes you might be
looking for that little that onelittle hack or that one little
tip, and it's like, oh, this iswhat I do, and, you know, just
tossing those back and forth, iswhat I feel like you find your
groove, and that's how you startto improve and and make progress
(29:32):
with with your working stylesand Yeah. that's neat.
I'm glad you shared that. So westill had a lot of 2024 left.
Mhmm. Do you have anyenlopements or weddings booked
in anywhere, like, anywhere fun?
Aj Webb (29:45):
I do. Yeah. I'm very excited. Yeah. My first wedding
of the year will be inRochester, Minnesota, and I'm
very excited to go there for, adifferent reason than I've ever
been.
I've only ever been there, formy brother's, hospital visits.
And so I'm very excited to go upthere and have it be for, like,
a happier reason, so I'm excitedfor that. And then, yeah, the
(30:07):
next weekend, I will be, inTennessee for a wedding, and I
am, like, so so excited for thatwedding. They're having, I
think, around, like, 50 people.It's gonna be at this beautiful
Airbnb with this back deck thatdefinitely hosts elopements.
And, yeah, I'm just superexcited about that. The couple,
(30:27):
is wonderful. The bride is, abig Swiftie like myself. She was
actually at the Eras tour showthat I went to last year, and
she was so amazing. She actuallysaved my butt and let me use
her, battery charger for myphone because I brought 2, but I
brought the wrong cord onaccident.
(30:48):
So I was just using my phone,like, oh, I have 2 battery
packs. I'm gonna be able to usethis all night long. And then it
got down to, like, 30%, and Iwas like, oh my end. I am
screwed. And so I knew that shewas at the show, and so I
messaged her and she, crazyenough, was in the same section
as me.
And so she met me at the top,and we I got that from her, and
(31:09):
then we said, you know, hi. Andthen after the show, I got to,
like, officially, like, meet herin person.
Victoria B. Glass: Wait - That was the first time ya'll had met? (31:13):
undefined
Aj Webb: Yeah! We'd talked over zoom, but that was the first time we'd met, she like met me at (31:22):
undefined
the top. And was like, here yougo. And I grabbed it, and then
we ran back down to our seats sothat we could keep watching
the concert.
Victoria B. Glass: Oh my gosh, that's so cool!! (31:27):
undefined
Aj Webb (31:27):
And then at the end, I gave it back to her, and we
talked for a few minutes. But,yeah, that was the first time
that I met her, which was socrazy. But, yeah, I was so
thankful that she was there, andshe was able to, help me with my
phone battery. So Yeah. Yeah.
So, yeah, I'm super excited tosee her again.
Victoria B. Glass (31:42):
That's a good story. And, yeah, did you go to
see the ARRIS tour in Nashville,or where did you see it?
Aj Webb (31:48):
No. No. We were both at the, Kansas City, show. We were
actually so we weren't there forthe speak now, announcement or,
when it came out and when TaylorLautner was there, which was
very unfortunate. No.
We were there the next day, soKansas City night too. But I
feel very special about thatbecause that was my 28th
birthday. So that was, like, asuper, like, great way to spend
(32:10):
my birthday. But now that weknow that they're together, that
was the night that Travis wasthere, and that was the infamous
night that he wanted to give herthe bracelet with his number and
wasn't able to. So, yeah, I feelreally special that I was at the
show that he was at.
Victoria B. Glass (32:25):
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Aj Webb (32:26):
And I was idea at the time, but
Victoria B. Glass (32:28):
yeah. But still special. I mean, that's
the one that stands out toTaylor. So Right. Right?
I mean
Aj Webb (32:34):
The start of it all.
Victoria B. Glass (32:35):
Yeah. And then I bet the vibe just post
the the like, prior to the nightbefore or, you know, the night
before, was really fun, justinteractively and stuff. And
I've been watching them allonline. And Oh, yeah.
Aj Webb (32:47):
Me too.
Victoria B. Glass (32:48):
That's cool. And that's great that Yeah. For
this upcoming 2024 wedding thatyou have, that you have such
great memories with the bride.Yeah. I'm so happy I'm so happy
for you.
Aj Webb (32:57):
Yeah. We're super excited. We're already planning
on jamming out to some TaylorSwift at her reception. So,
yeah, it's gonna be super fun.
Victoria B. Glass (33:04):
Oh, cool. So, AJ, tell me a little bit about
what you had to overcome to getwhere you are right now.
Aj Webb (33:10):
Yeah. Absolutely. I feel like I've had to overcome,
my own, but also other people's,judgment of working for
yourself. That was, somethingthat had come up a couple of
times from people in my life. Ihad, you know, someone ask me,
(33:32):
you know, how is yourphotography business going with
air quotes?
And that was really painfulbecause it just gave, you know,
like, the connotation that itwasn't a real thing and that it
was just this, like, little sidething that I did, but, like, it
wasn't legitimate. And, ofcourse, I knew at the end of the
day that it was legitimate. But,comments like that are asking,
(33:55):
you know, when are you gonnaget, like, a quote, unquote real
job aka one that I'm not workingfor myself, things like that.
I've had a couple of thosecomments over the years, and
those were really painful at thetime, but I've just had to take
a step back and just focus onwhat I know and what my, like,
closest loved ones know, andthey, all know how hard I work
(34:18):
and that I, you know, make anactual income. So, yeah, when
I've, like, really taken a stepback and looked back at my,
like, history every year,whether that's, with how much
I've made or the types ofsessions that I've done, every
single year, there's been growthin one way or another.
And so when I just look atthose, like, stats on my own, I
just have to, like, just sit inthat fact and just know, like,
(34:41):
hey. I am a legitimate business.And like I said, I do contribute
to my family and things likethat. And so, I've just had to
let those comments kind of go tothe wayside. I think the world
has changed a lot, especially,since 2020.
I think so many more people noware small business owners, in so
(35:01):
many different aspects. And so Ithink it's becoming a lot more,
a lot bigger of a thing, andit's becoming a lot more
accepted. So I think thatnarrative is probably changing a
lot already. But I think justyeah. At the end of the day,
just remembering, you know what?
I'm helping my husband pay thebills, and he knows that. And at
the end of the day, that's allthat matters. So if, you know,
(35:23):
so and so doesn't think that I'mworking a legitimate job, they
can think what they want. But,you know, they're not in my
shoes. And so, I think alsoyeah.
Just just really trying toremind myself to just put my
head down and not worry aboutpossibly what people think,
because I know, like, without ashadow of a doubt that I am
doing what the Lord wants me todo. That has never been a
(35:44):
question, for my business. Ihave always known from day 1
that this is what I'm supposedto do. I think I also have
always felt very lucky that I'veknown what I was going to do for
so long. I don't think it'ssuper common for, you know, a
high schooler to know, like Imean, I knew probably from,
like, freshman, sophomore yearthat that was the path that I
(36:05):
was gonna go down, and then Ijust, you know, started more
heavily pursuing it in my laterhigh school years.
And I don't think that that's,like, a super common thing. I
think it's very common for, highschoolers and people even in
college and beyond to not quiteknow what they wanna do. So I
think I've just always had torely on the fact that the Lord
has always made it very clear tome that this has met the path
that I'm supposed to be on. Andso, again, at the end of the
(36:26):
day, if people, you know, maynot agree with that or if they
think that it's not legitimateat the end of the day, like, I
know that this is the path thatthe Lord wants me on, and so I'm
just going to stand firm inthat.
Victoria B. Glass (36:39):
I hear that. Amen. I was just talking to
Dylan this morning aboutsometimes the hardest part is
listening to God, like, when hespeaks directly to you. And I
think that a lot of highschoolers and sophomores and
even college students, they doknow what the Lord has put on
their heart, but they listen toeveryone else. They listen to
the people who doubt them andwho don't think it they can
(37:00):
legitimately make a life orbusiness for themselves.
And it's like, who are they,like, to say that? No. Listen
listen to what God's put on yourheart. Follow the talents and
passions that he gave you, andjust run with it. Don't listen
to anyone else.
And when you do, then you'regonna be celebrating just like
AJ is.
Aj Webb (37:19):
Mhmm.
Victoria B. Glass (37:19):
Looking back and saying, it's it's normal, I
feel like, to have that on yourheart. It's not normal to stay
focused and to listen andactually follow through with it.
Aj Webb (37:30):
So
Victoria B. Glass (37:31):
that's the part that everyone could do, but
no one does, and it sets youapart when you do. I hope that
was the right way to explain itbecause what you said was right,
and, and it was right for you.And so that's that's what we're
here doing and celebrating.
Aj Webb (37:45):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Victoria B. Glass (37:47):
So, AJ, this has been a wonderful
conversation. I've reallyenjoyed it, and I know that all
of the listeners who arecreatives themselves or might be
just on the brink of startingtheir own creative business,
they're gonna get a lot out ofthis conversation too. Is there
anything else you wanna leavethem with or leave me with or
any recommendations that youmight have just, before we wrap
(38:08):
up the episode?
Aj Webb (38:09):
Yeah. Yeah. If you're considering starting a business,
whether it's photography or not,or you're new into having your
business, like we mentionedearlier, I think getting,
legally backed is superimportant. So research that. And
like we said, it's not verycomplicated, but I think that's
definitely, like, a great way tostart.
And then if you are specificallyin photography, I highly
(38:33):
recommend, second shooting. Idid not do a lot of that, and I
kinda wish that I had. I thinkit would have given me a lot of,
knowledge earlier on in mybusiness, that I had to learn on
my own, which is totally fine,but I think I could have made
bigger strides in my business,if I had done some more second
shooting. So I think whetherit's, you know, weddings or
(38:56):
whatever type of session, youcan totally ask people who are
local to you to second shoot,and just kind of watch what they
do and kind of absorb that. AndI think that's super great.
As well as, again, if you'rephotography specific, I highly
recommend, the virtually and inperson, learn from them multiple
(39:16):
times. So I'm virtually and inperson learn from them multiple
times. So I highly recommendlooking into, what they offer
because it is worth every singlepenny and more. I've invested a
lot of money into theireducation, so I do not say it
lately that I recommend them.Yeah.
(39:37):
I recommend just, I don't know,don't be afraid to fail. I think
that was something that I alsolearned at this last conference
was don't be afraid to fail andmake mistakes. Obviously, always
try your hardest, but you'regoing to learn more from those
mistakes than you are probablyanything else. So I know for
myself, the wedding days thathad some hiccups in them, things
(40:00):
like that, I have then takenthose experiences and turn them
into ways that I can serve myclients better in the future. So
one of the weddings that I shot,like, over 7 years ago, you
know, the groom went off to findthis aunt, and then the aunt
showed up, but the groom didn't.
And then so and so went to gofind the groom, and then the
groom showed up. And it was justlike this hot mess. And so I've
(40:21):
just really implemented with mycouples, making sure you have a
list of what photos you wantahead of time, making sure that
the people who know that they'regonna be in those photos that
you make them aware that, hey,photos are at this time. So
things like that are just,examples of ways that I've just
taken experiences that didn'tnecessarily go perfectly, and
(40:43):
that I'm able to then, you know,hopefully, turn that around
into, like, a positive thing formy future couples. So, yeah, I
think just, like, don't beafraid of those moments because
they're bound to happen.
I mean, even the most, you know,elite photographers that we all
look up to, I mean, they werewhere we were, at one point, and
they also, I'm sure, have theirown hiccups and mistakes that
(41:06):
they're still making. So justdon't be afraid of that. Just
allow yourself to learn from,like, every situation that
you're in because I thinkthere's so much, to learn and,
like, there's always ways togrow. And, obviously, just life
in general, but I thinkespecially as business owners.
Yeah.
So just doing that, I think,will, get you a long way.
Victoria B. Glass (41:28):
That's all really, really good advice, and
you're so right. And I couldn'tagree more about the just being
able to see that the mistakesaren't really mistakes. They
might be in the moment, but whenyou look back on them and you
reflect on them, then those arethe moments that literally point
to change and how to get better.It's like if you wanna get
(41:48):
better as a creative, as aphotographer, as a person, as a
business owner, then don't beafraid of failure and reflect
back on those moments where youmight have messed up and don't
look at them as mess ups,looking Yeah. Look at them as
answers as how to get better.
So Yes. Absolutely. Yeah. Andyou said something earlier that
I I made a little mental noteabout and I wanted to bring it
(42:09):
back around. And, you know,sometimes when you do something,
in the moment, you're like, Imight be so silly for doing
this.
But then when you hear someoneelse do it too, you're like,
okay. Actually, maybe maybethat's good. That's like, you
know, I'm on the right track. Soearlier, you mentioned that
every single time you get abooking, you say a little prayer
and you say thank you, God.Mhmm.
(42:29):
Dylan and I do that with cactipalm. And we literally, if we're
in the moment, if we're alone, Ihear them sometimes in the other
room. It'll ding on our phone.Thank you, God. So like, if you
really, really are worried aboutgetting started and you're like,
I have this creative idea, butlike, what if no one takes that
first chance on me?
What if no one's willing to payme? Then here's something that
you can do right now that costsyou absolutely nothing. 1, pray
(42:52):
about it. 2, imagine that firstbooking coming in and you say in
a prayer of thank you and ofgratitude and just go ahead and
right now, like, feel feelgrateful for that first client.
And then every moment afterthat, when you do get booked,
because I believe in you thatmuch, I do.
I really do say a prayer, saythank you. And never like, don't
ever take it for granted,whether it's the first booking
(43:14):
or whether it's the a thousandmillionth bazillionth booking.
Like No. Always be grateful. Sothat obviously shines off of
you, AJ, and with your business,Adriana Joy Photography.
And all of the people that youserve, I know that they feel
that when they get their theirpictures back. So Mhmm. I just
wanted to recognize that in yourin you and, also point it out,
(43:37):
like, hey. I noticed somethingthat I'm I might be doing that's
actually working and and alsoacknowledging those two things
so that we can share them withyou, our listeners, our
listeners right now, who mightwant a little bit of, advice on
how to how to get started andyeah.
Aj Webb (43:53):
So Absolutely. Yeah. That's something that I
definitely, try really hard topractice just in my everyday
life, but especially in mybusiness because, yeah, like, I
know that I am very lucky to getto do what I do. I know that
everyone doesn't have theopportunity to work from
themselves, especially becauseit can be so scary to, yeah,
(44:13):
have, like, income to supportyourself. So I am very thankful
that I'm in the position that Iam.
I'm very thankful every time. Imean, I think, it's a very
common thing in the creativeworld, I think, just to feel
feel imposter syndrome and justfeel like, why me? Like, why
would you trust me to do this?But I think I've been really
(44:34):
trying to just, I don't know,just grasp the fact that I have
been doing this for a long time,and I have learned a lot, And I
always have more room to grow,but I think I just have to
remember, like, I do have a lotof history behind me. I have
years years years of takingphotos in many different
circumstances, locations,different types of sessions,
(44:58):
things like that.
And so when I really, have areality check with myself, I
just have to, remember that. Andthat's not in a prideful way.
That's not in a I'm better thananyone else's way. It's just a
reality of I'm I'm gettingbooked for a reason. Like,
people aren't just paying memoney for no reason.
Like, I have, you know, thebacking behind it. So I think
(45:19):
that's something that I can alsoencourage people who are just
starting out. I think in a lotof ways, just put your head
down. Put your head down. Focuson what you're doing.
That's something that I feellike I'm still learning myself.
But I think when I just focus onwhat I'm doing and knowing that
I'm going down the path that theLord wants me to go down, I
think it's so much better than,you know, looking to the left
(45:41):
and to the right. And, oh, soand so is doing this thing, and,
oh, they just launched thisthing. And, oh, man, maybe I
should do that. You know?
And I think that's so easy tofall into. But at the end of the
day, like, we're all called todo different different things,
and we might not all be calledto do the same thing, and that's
okay. So, yeah, I just encourageyou to just put your head down
and just really focus on whatyou wanna do because every
(46:03):
single person, as well as everysingle business is so unique,
and that's, like, the beauty ofit.
Victoria B. Glass (46:10):
Yes. Standing ovation. Like, you nailed it.
That that's it. I don't know howto how to wrap it up any better
than that.
That that's so right on. Well,thank you, AJ, for everything,
for being kind to me from thevery start, for coming on today
and just talking about what youlove, and for getting the little
groups together for the Zoomcalls and the co working space
(46:32):
so that people like me continueto move on and move forward in
in their journey too. So justthank you for it all. I'm really
grateful for our friendship, forthis conversation, and it's been
such a blessing to have you onthe show.
Aj Webb (46:43):
Yeah. You're welcome. Thank you so much for having me.
I really enjoyed getting to knowyou better since we, yeah, met
at the conference and then raninto each other at Target and
things like that. I'm, yeah,just so thankful for, all of the
people that the Lord has, like,put into my life, specifically
with my business because, yeah,like you've mentioned, like, it
can be very lonely, working fromhome.
(47:06):
I'm literally alone all dayevery day. And so, yeah, it's
super, amazing when, like, theLord places really special
people in your life for, yeah,companions in this journey of
small businesses.
Victoria B. Glass (47:19):
And I just I wanna take one more second too
and just say, like, isn't itsuch a cool time? Like, we would
not have ever connected if itwasn't for podcast and hearing
both of us hearing's Heart andHustle podcast. I know that
gets, like, really macro. I'm amacro view right now, but, like,
it's like, it's mind boggling,and I'm so grateful for it. So,
(47:40):
like, I hope I hope that comesthrough.
Aj Webb (47:42):
So, yeah, I'm very thankful that, I'm not just, you
know, constricted to the areathat I'm in. I think I've been
able to grow so much morebecause I've been able to meet
people online, and I do thinkit's, always funny. I have way
more friends across the UnitedStates and, you know, the
photography world than I do in,my own town. And it's not
(48:06):
something that I mind. Like, Ithink it's very fun because then
it opens up the opportunity to,you know, fly across the country
to go see each other to work ona project or something.
Yeah. But, yeah, the onlineworld can be really beautiful if
you, let it. So, yeah, I loveit.
Victoria B. Glass (48:21):
That's that's the whole reason I brought it up
is because I I have that littlefriendship bracelet you gave me,
and I think about it all thetime about how, like, there's
people out there, real people inreal time, and it's the Internet
that, like, brings everybodytogether. But, you know, the
physicality of having somethinglike a like a bracelet reminds
you that people are real peopleout there, and, and we're all in
it for just for the the longhaul of it.
Aj Webb (48:44):
Yeah. I'm very much like an advocate for people to
follow their dreams and, like,what the Lord has placed on
their hearts. And I think verymuch, again, the world is
changing a lot. I think, goingto college and doing the
traditional thing like that hasbecome, not necessarily rare by
any means, but I think it's notnecessarily the path that
everyone goes down. So I thinkif you're kind of in that stage,
(49:06):
you know, really evaluating thatfor yourself.
And obviously, there'sdefinitely a lot of careers that
you have to go to college for.And that's great. It's not a
negative thing against college.It's just it doesn't have to be
the path that you go down. Aswell as if you're, you know, in
your thirties, forties, fifties,sixties, and there's this dream
that you've always known thatyou were supposed to do.
(49:28):
Like, I don't think it's evertoo late. Like, I know plenty of
people who went back to collegeor changed careers or things
like that, and they started itlater, and I think there's no
harm in doing that. I thinkthere's, yeah, a lot of beauty
in kind of stepping into whatthe Lord wants you to do and
taping taking that leap offaith. Obviously, it can be very
(49:49):
scary, to do those things, but Ithink when you just fully trust,
that the Lord laid something onyour heart for a reason and you
just go after it, he is going toreward you for that. And on the
same note too, though, if youpursue a dream and something
that the Lord has for you, andthen a couple years into it,
(50:09):
you, you know, decide to notpursue it anymore or the Lord
changes your heart, that doesn'tnecessarily mean it was a
failure.
I think everything is for aseason, even my own business.
Like, I absolutely love my job,and I really don't see myself
doing anything else, and I haveno plans of stopping anytime
soon. But I also know that I'mprobably not gonna be taking,
(50:29):
you know, wedding photos when Iam, like, 56 years old. And so I
think there's also, a piece ofthat where you can just, be
encouraged that sometimes theLord maybe only calls you to
something for a couple of years.Yeah.
And that's okay because maybethe next thing is gonna be even
bigger and better, and you won'tknow until you try.
Victoria B. Glass (50:51):
Amen. And I love that we're all in progress.
That gives it gives me hope. Itreally does because Yeah.
Aj Webb (50:58):
Absolutely.
Victoria B. Glass (50:59):
You can say, I've come a long way, and I
still have a long way to go. ButMhmm. With God, I'm not alone,
and I'm here for the journey.And in the journey, you find the
joy. So Mhmm.
Aj Webb (51:09):
Absolutely.
Victoria B. Glass (51:10):
Well, AJ, where can we find out more about
you and your business and findout just if we wanted to work
with you, how to do that?
Aj Webb (51:20):
Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. If you're interested in checking
out some of my work and,inquiring with me, my website is
adrianna joy photography. Andthen my Instagram is missus
adrianna webb.
And all of that is also linkedon my website too.
Victoria B. Glass (51:37):
And I'll have it in the show notes. If you
want to scroll down to thebottom, she'll be just a click
away. So I'm so happy to get totalk to you and can't wait to
have more wonderfulconversations. Thanks for coming
on and letting this one berecorded for the Contagious
Victory's listeners. I know theygot a lot of value out of it.
So thank you, AJ.
Aj Webb (51:55):
Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me. This
was so fun to get to chat today.
Victoria B. Glass (51:59):
Alright. Bye.
Aj Webb (52:01):
Bye.
Victoria B. Glass (52:06):
Thanks for joining us for this week's
episode of the ContagiousVictory podcast. If the show
inspired you to share your ownvictory story, I'm here to tell
you the world deserves to hearit. Submit it to me online at
toriblackmon.com. Review andsubscribe if that feels right.
Telling your friends about theshow helps contagious victories
to grow.
(52:27):
Plus, we all appreciate a littlesunshine. I'm Tori B. Thanks for
listening. I'll catch you soon.
Welcome to the Contagious Victory's
podcast. Each week, we talkinspiration, explore
possibilities, and shareinsights from creative creative
perspectives. I'm Tori Blackmon,and I'm here to remind you that
your purpose in life is tocelebrate the victories because
victories are contagious. Hithere, and welcome back to the
(00:24):
Contagious Victories podcast. Myname is Victoria B. Glass, and I
am so incredibly grateful tohave you tuning in and listening
to the show today.
Now I am going to get into areally wonderful conversation
that I had with a friend by thename of Adrianna Webb. She's
known by her friends as Aj. Butbefore I do, I just want to take
(00:46):
a minute to truly say thank you.Yeah. Thank you, You, who is
listening to this podcast rightnow, whether you are tuning in
in the car, on the way tosomewhere important, like a
meeting, or to the coffee shop,or you who is out working out at
the gym, or walking their sweetpet around the neighborhood.
(01:07):
However, you have invited meinto the moment. I really
appreciate you giving me yourear. The thing is I've been
feeling super grateful latelybecause I have been connecting
with more people through theshow. New guests, new listeners,
and it still just amazes me whensomeone shares the show or tags
me in a post on their Instagram.It inspires me, and it makes me
(01:30):
want to continue to show up andto add value to your life in
bigger ways and to be a betterperson myself by bringing you
these episodes of ContagiousVictories. These stories by real
people that I've been inspiredby and that I hope inspire you
to be better too.
So thank you, truly. Alright.Like I mentioned before, I am
(01:55):
talking with my friend Aj today.Like many of you who are
listening, Aj is the founder ofa creative business. She made
her childhood dream of becominga photographer true with her
business, Adriana JoyPhotography.
Aj is here to tell us all aboutwhat it's like to capture
weddings and adventurouselopements. I don't wanna keep
(02:19):
you waiting on this convo, solet's hear my conversation with
Aj Webb.
I have another remarkable guestwith me on the show today. I am
(02:39):
speaking with Aj Webb, who isthe founder of Adriana Joy
Photography, and she serves theMidwest and anywhere with her
adventurous elopementphotography and couples
photography. So I'm so excitedto dive in to her victory story
today. Aj, welcome to the show.
Aj Webb (02:59):
Thank you for having me. I am so excited to be here.
Victoria B. Glass (03:03):
So Aj, our story and friendship began a
couple years back when we raninto each other, not just at a
conference, but at Target out ofall the places. And the reason
you stood out, not just yourbusiness, but you stood out is
because you were so incrediblykind, and you spoke up to me and
my husband when we were shoppingin Target, which we had no idea
(03:26):
what we were there for or, like,what we were doing, but and you
just said, hey. I know you.You're you're Tori. Right?
And I was like, yes. Hi. So justthat courage that you showed
just to reach out to a completestranger in a city across from
where you live, so because youwere in a city in a Target that
you probably didn't frequentvery often. So, I knew right
(03:46):
away that I would be keepingtabs with you, and hopefully,
that was the beginning of afriendship and look at us.
Aj Webb (03:52):
Mhmm.
Victoria B. Glass (03:52):
Years later and here we are. Sure. Well,
tell me more about yourself.What is the number one thing
that you enjoy about being aphotographer and a creative?
Aj Webb (04:04):
Oh my goodness. I love basically everything about it. I
love, being able to set my ownschedule and have flexibility,
and I love just being able tomeet new people, even though
sometimes, like, as anintrovert, that can be kind of
scary. I think it's super fun tojust get to meet new people and
(04:25):
get to, like, showcase who theyare, as an individual and as a
couple because everyone's sounique. So I just love getting
to do that.
And, obviously, also, because Ido travel sometimes for my work,
I love getting to do that,getting to go to new cities and
new states and all of thosethings. It's really fun getting
to, like, see different culturesand try new food and all that
(04:47):
stuff too.
Victoria B. Glass (04:48):
Oh, yeah. Well, on your website, when I
was reading through it lastnight, I noticed in your bio
that you said you've known for areally long time what you wanted
to do with your life. Can youelaborate a little bit about
that and just tell me what allyou had to overcome to get to
the place that you are in rightnow? And for all of our
listeners, I just wannaelaborate a little bit more.
(05:10):
You've been doing this for 10years almost.
Right? I mean, a lot of mycreative friends, they don't
have that victory story. So Iwant you to tell me a little bit
about, just all of thechallenges that you've had to go
through, but it started at ayoung age. At 11, you knew you
wanted to be a creative. Solet's go as far back as that if
you don't mind.
Aj Webb (05:29):
Yeah. Absolutely. I love talking about it. Yeah. So
long story short, I was in, avery close family friend's
wedding, when I was, yeah, 11 or12, and I was a junior
bridesmaid.
And wedding on went on likenormal, and, at the reception,
which was at a family friend'shouse, I was playing with
(05:49):
someone's DSLR camera. And I wastaking photos, you know, of,
like, the tables and whatever.And I was just thinking around
in, like, this little cornerthat we were in, and the person
whose camera it was looked atthem and said that I had a great
eye. And then later in thenight, he actually gave me,
like, a little, like, pocketcamera. And that was my first
camera that I ever got.
(06:11):
And I took it with me prettymuch everywhere. I always had it
with me, and I had, like overthe years, I had a ton of those
little pocket cameras. And Itook photos on family trips,
school events, really anythingand everything. I definitely
documented, a lot. And so itkind of started there just like
an interest in documenting mylife.
(06:34):
And it wasn't something that itwas like, you know, I hadn't
started like a blog. Like, itwasn't anything crazy like that,
but it was just for myself tojust even have those memories,
which is super fun to be able tolook back on now. So yeah. And
then probably in, like, thelater half of my high school
years, a friend of mine and I,we would go out and, like, take
photos of each other quiteoften. We would sometimes just
(06:58):
do kind of portraits.
Sometimes we would do themedlittle shoots and things like
that just for fun. And we just,like, took them of each other
just kind of to practice. Onceit was, you know, getting to the
end of high school and you'rekind of having to decide, like,
what you're gonna do next, Iknew that I wanted to stay in
Dubuque where I'm from, and thereason for that was because my
(07:18):
family was going through, anadoption process at the time,
actually, for my youngestbrother, Lincoln. So he, at the
time when I was graduating, wasnot home yet. And so, I didn't
really want to move away andhave it be a situation where
once he was home, he didn't knowme or wasn't super familiar
(07:39):
because I would only be home,you know, maybe on the weekend
or maybe for holidays and thingslike that.
And so I had decided to, stayclose to home so that I could
actually be a part of his lifeand actually feel like a sister
and not feel, just like somerandom person in his life who is
in and out. And so-
Victoria B. Glass (07:58):
Now is this the brother that recently, I
think, turned 16?
Just for the timeline.
Aj Webb (08:06):
Yep, Yeah. So I decided to stay close to home, and I
ended up just going to a localcommunity college. Mainly,
honestly, because I just at thetime, I felt the pressures of
going to college. I don't knowthat I really felt in my soul
that it was, like, the rightchoice for me, especially
because I knew that I wanted todo photography. And I really had
no idea what that was gonna looklike.
(08:26):
I just knew that I like takingphotos. I didn't really, like,
think of the business part of itat all. And so I just went to
this community college for 2years for their business
program. And I don't necessarilyregret going, but I definitely
don't think that it was, like,necessary to go, especially
because the business programabsolutely was just geared
(08:47):
towards, like, corporatebusinesses, where they have, you
know, like, 500 employees orsomething. And it really had,
like, nothing to do with smallbusinesses, and there wasn't
really much that I could takeaway from those.
Like, one of the examples that Ialways give is they taught you
how to, like, you know, do themath of figuring out, like, how
many staples you need for, like,the corporation of 500 people.
(09:08):
And I'm like, yeah. I don't needto know that because, like, I'm
one person. Like, I'm gonna beable to keep track of, like,
those little expenses a loteasier for myself than if I was
obviously, you know, having tokeep, like, a locker full of,
like, all of these supplies andthings like that. So, anyway,
after that, I was just, yeah,doing photography as more just
(09:29):
like a side gig.
Throughout college, I wasworking, part time at a local
grocery store.
Victoria B. Glass (09:35):
Okay.
Aj Webb (09:36):
But I had officially, like, started my business,
quote, unquote, very late, 2013,so the same year that I had
graduated high school. And Ijust started doing sessions, you
know, for, like, $50. They wereawful. They were so bad, but I'm
so thankful that people, youknow, took a chance on me. I did
(09:56):
back then, like, anything andeverything.
So I think my first couple ofsessions were, like, family
sessions and, like, a genderreveal and, like, things like
that. Just, like, things that Idon't typically do anymore.
Victoria B. Glass (10:06):
Well, how fun was that though? Like, if you
can think back to what you feltlike in that first year, just,
like, people giving you yourmoney to do do your creative
passion. Like Yeah. Can youelaborate a little bit about,
like, how you were feeling that1st year?
Aj Webb (10:20):
Yeah. Yeah. I think every time that someone booked
me, I think I was just soexcited that someone was, like,
willing to book me when Ivirtually had no no experience
in that way. I mean, I had beentaking photos, like I said, for
years, but, like, obviously,documenting, like, your
school's, like, basketballbasketball game is very
different than taking, like,family portraits that might be
(10:42):
hung on someone's wall. So Ithink I just felt super lucky.
And honestly, like, I still feelthat way. Like, honestly, every
time I get booked, like, Iliterally just, like, say praise
God, and I'm just so thankfulthat I get booked because, like,
I do I do I feel so lucky evenover 10 years now later. So,
yeah, I think it was just like awild ride. I think I like I
said, I just really had no ideawhat I was doing
(11:04):
besides taking photosSo I was really learning as I went. That's the way
to go.
Victoria B. Glass: And that's wonderful. That's thethe best part. (11:13):
undefined
Aj Webb (11:14):
I think I'm a very hands on person in that way, so
not that I couldn't have gone toschool for photography
specifically. But I think,learning as I have gone on,
like, is something that I'm veryproud of. I yeah. Like, I I just
know, like, I'm the one who putin all of the work for what I
did, and, like, I've been theone to, like, yeah, I don't
(11:34):
know, learn and grow throughout,and it wasn't, like, handed to
me.
So, yeah, like, I'm very proudof that. But yeah. Anyway, so,
like, things like that. Myfriend who had been, her and I
had been, like, exchangingshoots, like, she helped me
learn how to edit in Lightroomand, like, things like that that
I just literally had no idea,like, how to do anything in
there. And she kind of gave me acouple of pointers and that it
was just a lot of trial anderror from there.
(11:56):
And then, continuing on, I gotmarried myself in 2015. Did not
have, the best experiencephotography wise for my wedding.
Long story short, thephotographer we had booked ended
up backing out 2 weeks before.We had to find someone last
minute. That person ended upbeing way better than the
original person was going to be,but it was still, like, a hot
(12:19):
mess.
And so I've taken my mistakesthat I made at my own wedding
when I was very young, and I'veapplied that to, helping my own
couples to, like, not make thesame mistake and just kind of
showing them the value of havingsolid vendors who know what
they're doing, and things likethat. And so, yeah. Anyway and
(12:40):
then in, late 2017, I,officially became an LLC with
the state of Iowa, which wasvery exciting. It felt like a
really, really big step tobecome, like, a legal business.
But I had been, you know,dabbling in it for a couple of
years at that point, so I feltlike it was kind of, time to do
that.
(13:01):
I highly recommend, you know, ifyou're a newer photographer
starting out listening to thisthat you become an LLC, earlier
rather than later. The soonerthat you can legally back
yourself up, the better. Again,I was just very uneducated, so I
just didn't know. I just was,you know, doing things as I
learned them.
Victoria B. Glass (13:17):
To cut in, a lot of times, just depending on
where you are, it's it sounds alot scarier to become an LLC
just because you've heard otherbusinesses your whole life with
that little, you know, LLC,those letters behind their name.
But it's really just a Googlesearch and you'll be off, you
know, stepping in the rightdirection towards making that
legal step. So, yes, if you'relistening to this and you're
(13:40):
like, okay. I know I need to,but I haven't yet, then it's
actually a lot easier done thanwaiting. So
Aj Webb (13:47):
Mhmm.
Victoria B. Glass (13:47):
Yes. Go ahead and Yeah. And Google that. So
Aj Webb (13:50):
Yeah. Highly recommend. Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (13:52):
Yeah.
Aj Webb (13:53):
Yeah. And then I guess jumping back one step. So in
2016, I started taking onweddings, and that was not
something that I really, like,planned on. I'm not one of those
people who necessarily couldsay, like, oh, because I had the
experience that I had with mywedding photographer, that's
what made me want to get intoweddings. I think that
(14:13):
definitely became a reason thathas pushed me forward in
weddings, but I think itinitially really started, just
because someone asked.
There was actually 2 differentcouples at the church that my
husband and I go to who asked ifI would do their wedding. And
I'd only second shot, like, acouple of weddings at that
point. So I really had no idea,what I was doing for weddings
(14:34):
since they're a whole differentballgame. But, thankfully, those
two couples and then actually athird couple, ended up booking
me for that year, which waswonderful. And the growth from
the first wedding to the thirdwedding itself even was crazy.
And so I'm so thankful thatespecially those early days
couples that they, yeah, took achance on me because, like, it
(14:55):
could've, I think, been a lotworse than it was. So I'm really
glad that those experiences,like, went the way that they
did. And I learned, like, somuch at each one. And so from
there, I kind of just was like,alright. I'm just gonna, like,
keep doing weddings.
Like, I really like this. Thisis a lot of fun. And so, yeah,
I've been shooting weddingssince then. I think this year
will be my 9th year shootingweddings.
Victoria B. Glass (15:16):
Oh, okay.
Aj Webb (15:18):
Which is wild. It feels really exciting to get close to
being, 10 years into doing,weddings. I've done, tons of
different kinds of weddings.I've done, you know, courthouse
ones. I've done ones that are ina barn.
I've done, yeah, ones where Ihave to, like, fly across the
country. Like, I've done a lotof different types of weddings.
And I've found over the yearsthat the smaller, more intimate
(15:39):
weddings where it's, you know,25 to 50 people at most type of
weddings, whether it's in, youknow, a backyard or it's at,
like, a national park. Those aredefinitely the type of weddings
that light my soul on fire. Ilove getting to do those
weddings for various reasons,but I think mainly it's just
because the day is just so it'sa lot slower.
(16:02):
It's more intentional, which Ilove that. I love that we're not
necessarily, like, rushingaround trying to get, you know,
x, y, and z covered in this day.And then I think I think it's
nice too to just see, like, thecouple enjoy themselves, and
they're not necessarily, like,exhausted or, like, bogged down
by feeling like there's a1000000 people that they have to
talk to and a 1000000 thingsthey have to do. So those are
(16:24):
the days that I definitelyreally enjoy, doing. And I've
loved all of the weddings thatI've done, so it's not to talk
down on any of those.
It's just No. These aredefinitely, like, the favorite
ones that I like to do. So,yeah, that's kind of where I'm
at right now. Just continuing onshooting, smaller weddings and a
couple of adventurous elopementsand things like that.
Victoria B. Glass (16:45):
Can you elaborate a little bit about
what all that entails? I thinkit's so rad because it really
does it seems like just allaround the bride, the
photographer, the family. Like,it really checks all the boxes
as far as getting thosebeautiful photos that, you know,
can be on your wall or on yourInstagram or wherever. You know,
they're beautiful, and they'rejust so know, there there's just
(17:13):
so much drama in them and Iwould love it. Yeah.
And then also, like, as a bride,you get to have that special,
like you said, intimate momentwith just your husband in a
kinda like a honeymoon settingalready in some cases. Yeah. And
then just I don't know. I thinkthey're so cool. Like, it's just
it blows my mind that people getto do that as a job and then
(17:34):
also for their wedding.
Aj Webb (17:35):
It Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (17:35):
It's so new. I love how things have evolved.
Aj Webb (17:37):
Yeah. That's super fun.
Victoria B. Glass (17:39):
Are people really getting married, or is it
kind of different each time?
Aj Webb (17:43):
I think it obviously depends per wedding. So for
instance, I have one coming upin a few months here where they
actually had their wedding inMexico, but with, all of the
legalities of getting marriedsomewhere else, they didn't
technically get legally married,but they just had, you know,
their traditional type weddingwith their friends and family.
(18:04):
And then they're hiring me fortheir quote, unquote elopement
is what we're calling it, wherethey're, actually, like, legally
signing the papers and having asmall ceremony with basically
just them and their officiant.And so I think it really
depends. I think it depends on,like, where you're getting
married.
Sometimes it's just easier to doa more, quote, unquote,
(18:25):
elopement, or maybe it doesn'tend up with, you know, signed
papers at the end of it, and youjust do that once you get home.
Yeah. But, yeah, most of theones I think that I've done have
been, like, legal ceremonies aswell as I've done a lot of,
basically, just bridal sessionswhere the couple will, you know,
maybe have their ceremony at acourthouse, or maybe they'll
(18:46):
have, like, a small backyardshindig or something like that.
And then we will go off into,you know, the mountains or
wherever they want to have theirphotos taken and do their
elopement, like photos therewhere they're dressed up and all
that. So it looks, you know,very much like a normal wedding
day would be, but it might justnot have all of the traditional,
(19:07):
other extra things going on.
Victoria B. Glass (19:09):
So Yeah. And the people and all the yeah. I
love it. Yeah. Well, that wasjust something that popped up
into my mind, and I was like,I've gotta ask her that.
Aj Webb (19:16):
Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (19:17):
Then, another thing that I just thought of, so
for these elopement weddings andthese elopement sessions, what's
all in your photography bag? Doyou carry any extra, like, Tide
to Go pins or anything like thatthat are specifically for the
more adventurous sessions thatyou have?
Aj Webb (19:33):
Sure. I feel like I actually almost in some ways
pack less for my adventureweddings, than I do for my,
like, local to more traditionalweddings. I think mainly, I just
have maybe, like, an extra pairof, like, socks or something on
me. I think I also will have,rain gear. So I have, like, a
(19:56):
thing that goes over my camera,and I sometimes will have, you
know, maybe gloves or somesomething like that to help, you
know, protect myself in casethere were to be weather that we
maybe weren't expecting, versus,like, a more traditional wedding
where there might be, another,like, option of where we could
be at.
Yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (20:15):
That would be nice.
Aj Webb (20:15):
Things like that. So, yeah, I think mainly just, yeah,
like, my normal stuff. And Ithink, yeah, like I said, it's
it's more actually my localweddings that I have my, like,
go bag that has, yeah, like, aTide type pen. I have, crochet
hooks for helping get, like, youknow, the rights, like, beat her
getting speeded up, yeah, herbuttoned up, things like that.
(20:38):
So I have, like, you know, BandAids.
I have all that type of stuff inmy normal bag. But because,
typically, when I do adventureweddings, I'm, you know, flying,
I can't necessarily bring all ofthat extra stuff. And,
typically, we don't need it toobecause, typically in those
situations, the couple is morethan okay with, you know, maybe
getting a little bit dirty.Usually, they're dressed, you
know, the bottom, like, coupleof inches might just be a little
(21:00):
bit dirty from walking around.And so we don't really need,
like, a thing like a Tide penbecause they're just kind of go
with the flow.
They're like, if it gets dirty,it gets dirty. If it doesn't,
that's fine too. So
Victoria B. Glass (21:09):
It's so wonderful how the more kinda,
like, extreme the landscape and,like, the area that you're,
like, photographing, the kinda,like, less you need, and I love
that because it just shows offthe love even more. And in your
photos, I was looking throughthem this morning, They are so
gorgeous and the love justshines through, and I love the
(21:32):
work that you do. You are sotalented. And, another thing
that I just remembered, Inoticed a lot of black and white
photos that you do. Is that apress preference, like a
personal preference?
Tell me a little bit about that.
Aj Webb (21:44):
Yeah. Yeah. It's definitely a personal
preference. I think, obviously,every photographer does it
differently. I don't do, like, ablack and white copy for every
photo.
It's really just, like, vibes,basically. I just will go
through and be like, that photowould look sick in black and
white. And sometimes I'll also,like, add some grain to it to
make it look more filmy. So,yeah, I think I don't know. I
(22:08):
think sometimes black and whitecan just almost tell a little
bit of a different story.
And I think it makes it,sometimes more, like, romantic
and things like that. I alwaysgive a color copy so that if
they want a color copy, theyhave that as well. But, yeah, I
just I I don't know. There'ssomething about a black and
white to me, and I just yeah. Ilove it.
Victoria B. Glass (22:26):
So You made me like black and white
again. Like, I fell in love withit all over again looking at
those photos and Yeah. You'rereally good at it. You do know
which ones are sick in black andwhite. Like, I like I like that.
Aj Webb (22:38):
Yeah. Years ago, it wasn't super intentional, I
think, initially. But years ago,I started doing black and white
for every other photo on myInstagram feed. I don't know if
you've noticed that, but I do ablack and white and then a color
and then a black and white and acolor. And I've done that for
years, and I think it's amixture for me of it helps keep
my Instagram feed very cleanlooking, but also, like yeah.
(22:59):
Like I said, I do really lovethe black and white photos. I'm
a sucker for them. So it helpsme to be able to, like, show
those off too.
Victoria B. Glass (23:06):
It is another way that you stand out in a very
authentic way that is Aj. So Ireally liked that. I wanted to
ask about that. Alright. Well,tell me a little bit about, I
guess, your example of youreveryday work week. One of the
things in the last couple weeksthat we've been doing, and we've
we've been having awesome littleZoom calls where we're just
coworking and things like that.
(23:27):
Is that something you've alwaysdone to establish fun in your
work week, or are there otherthings? Tell me a little bit
about your work week.
Aj Webb (23:35):
Yeah. Yeah. No. The Zoom calls, the coworking calls,
I feel like that's been probablyunder a year that I've been
doing that, and it just kind ofstarted with, yeah, just wanting
to, like, have some people totalk to every, you know, every
now and then to, have somecompany while you work. And
that's been super fun.
I've really, enjoyed getting tocowork with, you know, friends
(23:57):
all over the United States, andjust get a lot of things checked
off of our to do list as well.So, yeah, I as of right now, my
work schedule typically isMonday through Friday. In my off
season, I have been doing, alittle bit more time off where
I've been working, just Mondaythrough Thursday just for the
fact that in my busy season,sometimes I'm working 6 or 7
(24:20):
days a week. And so I just liketo, when I have the opportunity,
give myself, a little bit ofextra time off, to prepare, you
know, myself for the busyseason. And, yeah, I think I
just typically will, sit downand, just mainly look through my
emails.
That's how I start my day eachday. And then I have worked
(24:43):
really hard, recently on givingmyself tasks per day so that I
kind of have direction on whatI'm going to do. So right now in
my, off season, quote, unquote,an off season just means that
I'm not out taking photos, like,every week, like I typically am
when I'm in my busy season. Iwill do, tasks like working on
(25:06):
guides for my clients orupdating things on my back end,
like my, you know, my emails ormy website and things like that.
So the last few months, I'vebeen working really hard on
getting a lot of those tasksdone because, I'm about to enter
a busy spurt here soon.
And once I'm in that, then I'mmainly just gonna be, in my
editing cave as I call it. Andso once I have sessions to edit,
(25:29):
that's pretty much what I focusmainly on other than, obviously,
keeping up with client emailsand things like that. So, yeah,
my workdays are, like, prettysimple. I feel like they look
the same pretty, you know,pretty much every day. I do like
to schedule, if I can, like, acoworking call once a week or
once every other week ifpossible, just because having
(25:49):
that time where we can connectwith, you know, each other is
super fun, but also have thatdedicated time to just zone in
and really just, get, like,solid work done is super fun
too.
Victoria B. Glass (26:00):
It's helped me with just not being so
lonely. Like, I have an editingcave too, and, even though we
work on different types ofphotography and and videography
and media and stuff, it can getreally lonely. Even just like I
love being in my house. I don'ttake it for granted. But
sometimes it's like, I haven'tseen anyone besides my husband
in, like, days.
(26:20):
Yeah. So I, I've really enjoyedthe coworking calls, and I'm
looking forward to getting on tomore. Sometimes I can make it,
sometimes I can't, but if I'm ifI'm available, I'm there. And
Yeah. You've really just helpedme in that way of, of being that
kind friend.
Like, you didn't target that onetime. Yeah. Yeah. Well, speaking
of editing caves, what do you doyou keep anything special in
(26:43):
yours to keep it nice when youare in that that zone? You got,
like, a candle or anything like,you know, that?
Aj Webb (26:50):
No. It's not cute. I have blackout curtains, and so I
just keep those. And, because Iprefer to have it as dark as
possible so I can see my screenbetter. And
so I can see my screen better.
Victoria B. Glass (27:02):
Oh, ok.
Aj Webb (27:02):
It's definitely not, like aesthetic by any means,
but, yeah, I close the curtainsand typically I just have, like,
a drink or 2 next to me to helpkeep me, like, hydrated and,
like, also just give me energy.And, yeah, I really just kind
of, you know, zone out intothat. I'll typically, listen to,
like, music or a podcast, orI'll put on, like, a show or
(27:23):
something on my phone, so that Iam, you know, somewhat
entertained while I'm working.Yeah. And it just helps me to
stay, locked in while I do it.
And I just I I always laugh whenI call my editing cave just
because, yeah, if you come overand you see it and it's just
black, people sometimes thinkit's kinda funny. But it really
helps me to, yeah, like, see myscreen, like I said. And I've
(27:46):
had years where I'll mainlyedit, like, in the evening,
because it is darker. So I'vehad times like that where, I'm
not really feeling, like, theediting you know, in the editing
zone during the day. So maybesometimes I'll take, like, the
afternoon off, and then I'llwork the evening so that, one,
so it's darker, but alsosometimes I do I do just work,
(28:07):
better in the evening.
So, yeah, I'll just be in myediting cave,
Victoria B. Glass (28:11):
which is That's a good tip.
Aj Webb (28:12):
Funny because I love it.
Victoria B. Glass (28:13):
No. I like that. And I love having my
little area where I know that ismy work zone. Just like
mentally, it seems like a spotthat I, like, park myself in
because that's where I go to toI mean, this is it right here.
Yeah. But one of the things thatI do kinda find myself getting
annoyed with is the reflectionof this wall or this window on
(28:34):
my screen. And I also don'twant, you know, to move my room
around, so I need to get someblackout curtains.
Aj Webb (28:41):
Amazon, man. They're great.
Victoria B. Glass (28:43):
Yeah. I mean, I thought about it for sleep,
but I've never thought about itfor editing.
Aj Webb (28:47):
yea
Victoria B. Glass (28:48):
that's good.
Aj Webb (28:48):
Yeah. It's super helpful. It definitely, like,
transforms the streams. Like,right now, the sun is coming
through the windows in myoffice, which is great. I love
it.
But, yeah, when I'm trying toedit and trying to see, you
know, my photos really clearly,it makes it harder. So, yeah, I
like to shut the curtains and beable to, yeah, turn up my
brightness on my computer andjust zone into that. So yeah.
Victoria B. Glass (29:10):
Hey. Everyone knows themselves and how they
work, and I love exchanging tipsbecause sometimes you might be
looking for that little that onelittle hack or that one little
tip, and it's like, oh, this iswhat I do, and, you know, just
tossing those back and forth, iswhat I feel like you find your
groove, and that's how you startto improve and and make progress
(29:32):
with with your working stylesand Yeah. that's neat.
I'm glad you shared that. So westill had a lot of 2024 left.
Mhmm. Do you have anyenlopements or weddings booked
in anywhere, like, anywhere fun?
Aj Webb (29:45):
I do. Yeah. I'm very excited. Yeah. My first wedding
of the year will be inRochester, Minnesota, and I'm
very excited to go there for, adifferent reason than I've ever
been.
I've only ever been there, formy brother's, hospital visits.
And so I'm very excited to go upthere and have it be for, like,
a happier reason, so I'm excitedfor that. And then, yeah, the
(30:07):
next weekend, I will be, inTennessee for a wedding, and I
am, like, so so excited for thatwedding. They're having, I
think, around, like, 50 people.It's gonna be at this beautiful
Airbnb with this back deck thatdefinitely hosts elopements.
And, yeah, I'm just superexcited about that. The couple,
(30:27):
is wonderful. The bride is, abig Swiftie like myself. She was
actually at the Eras tour showthat I went to last year, and
she was so amazing. She actuallysaved my butt and let me use
her, battery charger for myphone because I brought 2, but I
brought the wrong cord onaccident.
(30:48):
So I was just using my phone,like, oh, I have 2 battery
packs. I'm gonna be able to usethis all night long. And then it
got down to, like, 30%, and Iwas like, oh my end. I am
screwed. And so I knew that shewas at the show, and so I
messaged her and she, crazyenough, was in the same section
as me.
And so she met me at the top,and we I got that from her, and
(31:09):
then we said, you know, hi. Andthen after the show, I got to,
like, officially, like, meet herin person.
Victoria B. Glass: Wait - That was the first time ya'll had met? (31:13):
undefined
Aj Webb: Yeah! We'd talked over zoom, but that was the first time we'd met, she like met me at (31:22):
undefined
the top. And was like, here yougo. And I grabbed it, and then
we ran back down to our seats sothat we could keep watching
the concert.
Victoria B. Glass: Oh my gosh, that's so cool!! (31:27):
undefined
Aj Webb (31:27):
And then at the end, I gave it back to her, and we
talked for a few minutes. But,yeah, that was the first time
that I met her, which was socrazy. But, yeah, I was so
thankful that she was there, andshe was able to, help me with my
phone battery. So Yeah. Yeah.
So, yeah, I'm super excited tosee her again.
Victoria B. Glass (31:42):
That's a good story. And, yeah, did you go to
see the ARRIS tour in Nashville,or where did you see it?
Aj Webb (31:48):
No. No. We were both at the, Kansas City, show. We were
actually so we weren't there forthe speak now, announcement or,
when it came out and when TaylorLautner was there, which was
very unfortunate. No.
We were there the next day, soKansas City night too. But I
feel very special about thatbecause that was my 28th
birthday. So that was, like, asuper, like, great way to spend
(32:10):
my birthday. But now that weknow that they're together, that
was the night that Travis wasthere, and that was the infamous
night that he wanted to give herthe bracelet with his number and
wasn't able to. So, yeah, I feelreally special that I was at the
show that he was at.
Victoria B. Glass (32:25):
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Aj Webb (32:26):
And I was idea at the time, but
Victoria B. Glass (32:28):
yeah. But still special. I mean, that's
the one that stands out toTaylor. So Right. Right?
I mean
Aj Webb (32:34):
The start of it all.
Victoria B. Glass (32:35):
Yeah. And then I bet the vibe just post
the the like, prior to the nightbefore or, you know, the night
before, was really fun, justinteractively and stuff. And
I've been watching them allonline. And Oh, yeah.
Aj Webb (32:47):
Me too.
Victoria B. Glass (32:48):
That's cool. And that's great that Yeah. For
this upcoming 2024 wedding thatyou have, that you have such
great memories with the bride.Yeah. I'm so happy I'm so happy
for you.
Aj Webb (32:57):
Yeah. We're super excited. We're already planning
on jamming out to some TaylorSwift at her reception. So,
yeah, it's gonna be super fun.
Victoria B. Glass (33:04):
Oh, cool. So, AJ, tell me a little bit about
what you had to overcome to getwhere you are right now.
Aj Webb (33:10):
Yeah. Absolutely. I feel like I've had to overcome,
my own, but also other people's,judgment of working for
yourself. That was, somethingthat had come up a couple of
times from people in my life. Ihad, you know, someone ask me,
(33:32):
you know, how is yourphotography business going with
air quotes?
And that was really painfulbecause it just gave, you know,
like, the connotation that itwasn't a real thing and that it
was just this, like, little sidething that I did, but, like, it
wasn't legitimate. And, ofcourse, I knew at the end of the
day that it was legitimate. But,comments like that are asking,
(33:55):
you know, when are you gonnaget, like, a quote, unquote real
job aka one that I'm not workingfor myself, things like that.
I've had a couple of thosecomments over the years, and
those were really painful at thetime, but I've just had to take
a step back and just focus onwhat I know and what my, like,
closest loved ones know, andthey, all know how hard I work
(34:18):
and that I, you know, make anactual income. So, yeah, when
I've, like, really taken a stepback and looked back at my,
like, history every year,whether that's, with how much
I've made or the types ofsessions that I've done, every
single year, there's been growthin one way or another.
And so when I just look atthose, like, stats on my own, I
just have to, like, just sit inthat fact and just know, like,
(34:41):
hey. I am a legitimate business.And like I said, I do contribute
to my family and things likethat. And so, I've just had to
let those comments kind of go tothe wayside. I think the world
has changed a lot, especially,since 2020.
I think so many more people noware small business owners, in so
(35:01):
many different aspects. And so Ithink it's becoming a lot more,
a lot bigger of a thing, andit's becoming a lot more
accepted. So I think thatnarrative is probably changing a
lot already. But I think justyeah. At the end of the day,
just remembering, you know what?
I'm helping my husband pay thebills, and he knows that. And at
the end of the day, that's allthat matters. So if, you know,
(35:23):
so and so doesn't think that I'mworking a legitimate job, they
can think what they want. But,you know, they're not in my
shoes. And so, I think alsoyeah.
Just just really trying toremind myself to just put my
head down and not worry aboutpossibly what people think,
because I know, like, without ashadow of a doubt that I am
doing what the Lord wants me todo. That has never been a
(35:44):
question, for my business. Ihave always known from day 1
that this is what I'm supposedto do. I think I also have
always felt very lucky that I'veknown what I was going to do for
so long. I don't think it'ssuper common for, you know, a
high schooler to know, like Imean, I knew probably from,
like, freshman, sophomore yearthat that was the path that I
(36:05):
was gonna go down, and then Ijust, you know, started more
heavily pursuing it in my laterhigh school years.
And I don't think that that's,like, a super common thing. I
think it's very common for, highschoolers and people even in
college and beyond to not quiteknow what they wanna do. So I
think I've just always had torely on the fact that the Lord
has always made it very clear tome that this has met the path
that I'm supposed to be on. Andso, again, at the end of the
(36:26):
day, if people, you know, maynot agree with that or if they
think that it's not legitimateat the end of the day, like, I
know that this is the path thatthe Lord wants me on, and so I'm
just going to stand firm inthat.
Victoria B. Glass (36:39):
I hear that. Amen. I was just talking to
Dylan this morning aboutsometimes the hardest part is
listening to God, like, when hespeaks directly to you. And I
think that a lot of highschoolers and sophomores and
even college students, they doknow what the Lord has put on
their heart, but they listen toeveryone else. They listen to
the people who doubt them andwho don't think it they can
(37:00):
legitimately make a life orbusiness for themselves.
And it's like, who are they,like, to say that? No. Listen
listen to what God's put on yourheart. Follow the talents and
passions that he gave you, andjust run with it. Don't listen
to anyone else.
And when you do, then you'regonna be celebrating just like
AJ is.
Aj Webb (37:19):
Mhmm.
Victoria B. Glass (37:19):
Looking back and saying, it's it's normal, I
feel like, to have that on yourheart. It's not normal to stay
focused and to listen andactually follow through with it.
Aj Webb (37:30):
So
Victoria B. Glass (37:31):
that's the part that everyone could do, but
no one does, and it sets youapart when you do. I hope that
was the right way to explain itbecause what you said was right,
and, and it was right for you.And so that's that's what we're
here doing and celebrating.
Aj Webb (37:45):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Victoria B. Glass (37:47):
So, AJ, this has been a wonderful
conversation. I've reallyenjoyed it, and I know that all
of the listeners who arecreatives themselves or might be
just on the brink of startingtheir own creative business,
they're gonna get a lot out ofthis conversation too. Is there
anything else you wanna leavethem with or leave me with or
any recommendations that youmight have just, before we wrap
(38:08):
up the episode?
Aj Webb (38:09):
Yeah. Yeah. If you're considering starting a business,
whether it's photography or not,or you're new into having your
business, like we mentionedearlier, I think getting,
legally backed is superimportant. So research that. And
like we said, it's not verycomplicated, but I think that's
definitely, like, a great way tostart.
And then if you are specificallyin photography, I highly
(38:33):
recommend, second shooting. Idid not do a lot of that, and I
kinda wish that I had. I thinkit would have given me a lot of,
knowledge earlier on in mybusiness, that I had to learn on
my own, which is totally fine,but I think I could have made
bigger strides in my business,if I had done some more second
shooting. So I think whetherit's, you know, weddings or
(38:56):
whatever type of session, youcan totally ask people who are
local to you to second shoot,and just kind of watch what they
do and kind of absorb that. AndI think that's super great.
As well as, again, if you'rephotography specific, I highly
recommend, the virtually and inperson, learn from them multiple
(39:16):
times. So I'm virtually and inperson learn from them multiple
times. So I highly recommendlooking into, what they offer
because it is worth every singlepenny and more. I've invested a
lot of money into theireducation, so I do not say it
lately that I recommend them.Yeah.
(39:37):
I recommend just, I don't know,don't be afraid to fail. I think
that was something that I alsolearned at this last conference
was don't be afraid to fail andmake mistakes. Obviously, always
try your hardest, but you'regoing to learn more from those
mistakes than you are probablyanything else. So I know for
myself, the wedding days thathad some hiccups in them, things
(40:00):
like that, I have then takenthose experiences and turn them
into ways that I can serve myclients better in the future. So
one of the weddings that I shot,like, over 7 years ago, you
know, the groom went off to findthis aunt, and then the aunt
showed up, but the groom didn't.
And then so and so went to gofind the groom, and then the
groom showed up. And it was justlike this hot mess. And so I've
(40:21):
just really implemented with mycouples, making sure you have a
list of what photos you wantahead of time, making sure that
the people who know that they'regonna be in those photos that
you make them aware that, hey,photos are at this time. So
things like that are just,examples of ways that I've just
taken experiences that didn'tnecessarily go perfectly, and
(40:43):
that I'm able to then, you know,hopefully, turn that around
into, like, a positive thing formy future couples. So, yeah, I
think just, like, don't beafraid of those moments because
they're bound to happen.
I mean, even the most, you know,elite photographers that we all
look up to, I mean, they werewhere we were, at one point, and
they also, I'm sure, have theirown hiccups and mistakes that
(41:06):
they're still making. So justdon't be afraid of that. Just
allow yourself to learn from,like, every situation that
you're in because I thinkthere's so much, to learn and,
like, there's always ways togrow. And, obviously, just life
in general, but I thinkespecially as business owners.
Yeah.
So just doing that, I think,will, get you a long way.
Victoria B. Glass (41:28):
That's all really, really good advice, and
you're so right. And I couldn'tagree more about the just being
able to see that the mistakesaren't really mistakes. They
might be in the moment, but whenyou look back on them and you
reflect on them, then those arethe moments that literally point
to change and how to get better.It's like if you wanna get
(41:48):
better as a creative, as aphotographer, as a person, as a
business owner, then don't beafraid of failure and reflect
back on those moments where youmight have messed up and don't
look at them as mess ups,looking Yeah. Look at them as
answers as how to get better.
So Yes. Absolutely. Yeah. Andyou said something earlier that
I I made a little mental noteabout and I wanted to bring it
(42:09):
back around. And, you know,sometimes when you do something,
in the moment, you're like, Imight be so silly for doing
this.
But then when you hear someoneelse do it too, you're like,
okay. Actually, maybe maybethat's good. That's like, you
know, I'm on the right track. Soearlier, you mentioned that
every single time you get abooking, you say a little prayer
and you say thank you, God.Mhmm.
(42:29):
Dylan and I do that with cactipalm. And we literally, if we're
in the moment, if we're alone, Ihear them sometimes in the other
room. It'll ding on our phone.Thank you, God. So like, if you
really, really are worried aboutgetting started and you're like,
I have this creative idea, butlike, what if no one takes that
first chance on me?
What if no one's willing to payme? Then here's something that
you can do right now that costsyou absolutely nothing. 1, pray
(42:52):
about it. 2, imagine that firstbooking coming in and you say in
a prayer of thank you and ofgratitude and just go ahead and
right now, like, feel feelgrateful for that first client.
And then every moment afterthat, when you do get booked,
because I believe in you thatmuch, I do.
I really do say a prayer, saythank you. And never like, don't
ever take it for granted,whether it's the first booking
(43:14):
or whether it's the a thousandmillionth bazillionth booking.
Like No. Always be grateful. Sothat obviously shines off of
you, AJ, and with your business,Adriana Joy Photography.
And all of the people that youserve, I know that they feel
that when they get their theirpictures back. So Mhmm. I just
wanted to recognize that in yourin you and, also point it out,
(43:37):
like, hey. I noticed somethingthat I'm I might be doing that's
actually working and and alsoacknowledging those two things
so that we can share them withyou, our listeners, our
listeners right now, who mightwant a little bit of, advice on
how to how to get started andyeah.
Aj Webb (43:53):
So Absolutely. Yeah. That's something that I
definitely, try really hard topractice just in my everyday
life, but especially in mybusiness because, yeah, like, I
know that I am very lucky to getto do what I do. I know that
everyone doesn't have theopportunity to work from
themselves, especially becauseit can be so scary to, yeah,
(44:13):
have, like, income to supportyourself. So I am very thankful
that I'm in the position that Iam.
I'm very thankful every time. Imean, I think, it's a very
common thing in the creativeworld, I think, just to feel
feel imposter syndrome and justfeel like, why me? Like, why
would you trust me to do this?But I think I've been really
(44:34):
trying to just, I don't know,just grasp the fact that I have
been doing this for a long time,and I have learned a lot, And I
always have more room to grow,but I think I just have to
remember, like, I do have a lotof history behind me. I have
years years years of takingphotos in many different
circumstances, locations,different types of sessions,
(44:58):
things like that.
And so when I really, have areality check with myself, I
just have to, remember that. Andthat's not in a prideful way.
That's not in a I'm better thananyone else's way. It's just a
reality of I'm I'm gettingbooked for a reason. Like,
people aren't just paying memoney for no reason.
Like, I have, you know, thebacking behind it. So I think
(45:19):
that's something that I can alsoencourage people who are just
starting out. I think in a lotof ways, just put your head
down. Put your head down. Focuson what you're doing.
That's something that I feellike I'm still learning myself.
But I think when I just focus onwhat I'm doing and knowing that
I'm going down the path that theLord wants me to go down, I
think it's so much better than,you know, looking to the left
(45:41):
and to the right. And, oh, soand so is doing this thing, and,
oh, they just launched thisthing. And, oh, man, maybe I
should do that. You know?
And I think that's so easy tofall into. But at the end of the
day, like, we're all called todo different different things,
and we might not all be calledto do the same thing, and that's
okay. So, yeah, I just encourageyou to just put your head down
and just really focus on whatyou wanna do because every
(46:03):
single person, as well as everysingle business is so unique,
and that's, like, the beauty ofit.
Victoria B. Glass (46:10):
Yes. Standing ovation. Like, you nailed it.
That that's it. I don't know howto how to wrap it up any better
than that.
That that's so right on. Well,thank you, AJ, for everything,
for being kind to me from thevery start, for coming on today
and just talking about what youlove, and for getting the little
groups together for the Zoomcalls and the co working space
(46:32):
so that people like me continueto move on and move forward in
in their journey too. So justthank you for it all. I'm really
grateful for our friendship, forthis conversation, and it's been
such a blessing to have you onthe show.
Aj Webb (46:43):
Yeah. You're welcome. Thank you so much for having me.
I really enjoyed getting to knowyou better since we, yeah, met
at the conference and then raninto each other at Target and
things like that. I'm, yeah,just so thankful for, all of the
people that the Lord has, like,put into my life, specifically
with my business because, yeah,like you've mentioned, like, it
can be very lonely, working fromhome.
(47:06):
I'm literally alone all dayevery day. And so, yeah, it's
super, amazing when, like, theLord places really special
people in your life for, yeah,companions in this journey of
small businesses.
Victoria B. Glass (47:19):
And I just I wanna take one more second too
and just say, like, isn't itsuch a cool time? Like, we would
not have ever connected if itwasn't for podcast and hearing
both of us hearing's Heart andHustle podcast. I know that
gets, like, really macro. I'm amacro view right now, but, like,
it's like, it's mind boggling,and I'm so grateful for it. So,
(47:40):
like, I hope I hope that comesthrough.
Aj Webb (47:42):
So, yeah, I'm very thankful that, I'm not just, you
know, constricted to the areathat I'm in. I think I've been
able to grow so much morebecause I've been able to meet
people online, and I do thinkit's, always funny. I have way
more friends across the UnitedStates and, you know, the
photography world than I do in,my own town. And it's not
(48:06):
something that I mind. Like, Ithink it's very fun because then
it opens up the opportunity to,you know, fly across the country
to go see each other to work ona project or something.
Yeah. But, yeah, the onlineworld can be really beautiful if
you, let it. So, yeah, I loveit.
Victoria B. Glass (48:21):
That's that's the whole reason I brought it up
is because I I have that littlefriendship bracelet you gave me,
and I think about it all thetime about how, like, there's
people out there, real people inreal time, and it's the Internet
that, like, brings everybodytogether. But, you know, the
physicality of having somethinglike a like a bracelet reminds
you that people are real peopleout there, and, and we're all in
it for just for the the longhaul of it.
Aj Webb (48:44):
Yeah. I'm very much like an advocate for people to
follow their dreams and, like,what the Lord has placed on
their hearts. And I think verymuch, again, the world is
changing a lot. I think, goingto college and doing the
traditional thing like that hasbecome, not necessarily rare by
any means, but I think it's notnecessarily the path that
everyone goes down. So I thinkif you're kind of in that stage,
(49:06):
you know, really evaluating thatfor yourself.
And obviously, there'sdefinitely a lot of careers that
you have to go to college for.And that's great. It's not a
negative thing against college.It's just it doesn't have to be
the path that you go down. Aswell as if you're, you know, in
your thirties, forties, fifties,sixties, and there's this dream
that you've always known thatyou were supposed to do.
(49:28):
Like, I don't think it's evertoo late. Like, I know plenty of
people who went back to collegeor changed careers or things
like that, and they started itlater, and I think there's no
harm in doing that. I thinkthere's, yeah, a lot of beauty
in kind of stepping into whatthe Lord wants you to do and
taping taking that leap offaith. Obviously, it can be very
(49:49):
scary, to do those things, but Ithink when you just fully trust,
that the Lord laid something onyour heart for a reason and you
just go after it, he is going toreward you for that. And on the
same note too, though, if youpursue a dream and something
that the Lord has for you, andthen a couple years into it,
(50:09):
you, you know, decide to notpursue it anymore or the Lord
changes your heart, that doesn'tnecessarily mean it was a
failure.
I think everything is for aseason, even my own business.
Like, I absolutely love my job,and I really don't see myself
doing anything else, and I haveno plans of stopping anytime
soon. But I also know that I'mprobably not gonna be taking,
(50:29):
you know, wedding photos when Iam, like, 56 years old. And so I
think there's also, a piece ofthat where you can just, be
encouraged that sometimes theLord maybe only calls you to
something for a couple of years.Yeah.
And that's okay because maybethe next thing is gonna be even
bigger and better, and you won'tknow until you try.
Victoria B. Glass (50:51):
Amen. And I love that we're all in progress.
That gives it gives me hope. Itreally does because Yeah.
Aj Webb (50:58):
Absolutely.
Victoria B. Glass (50:59):
You can say, I've come a long way, and I
still have a long way to go. ButMhmm. With God, I'm not alone,
and I'm here for the journey.And in the journey, you find the
joy. So Mhmm.
Aj Webb (51:09):
Absolutely.
Victoria B. Glass (51:10):
Well, AJ, where can we find out more about
you and your business and findout just if we wanted to work
with you, how to do that?
Aj Webb (51:20):
Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. If you're interested in checking
out some of my work and,inquiring with me, my website is
adrianna joy photography. Andthen my Instagram is missus
adrianna webb.
And all of that is also linkedon my website too.
Victoria B. Glass (51:37):
And I'll have it in the show notes. If you
want to scroll down to thebottom, she'll be just a click
away. So I'm so happy to get totalk to you and can't wait to
have more wonderfulconversations. Thanks for coming
on and letting this one berecorded for the Contagious
Victory's listeners. I know theygot a lot of value out of it.
So thank you, AJ.
Aj Webb (51:55):
Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me. This
was so fun to get to chat today.
Victoria B. Glass (51:59):
Alright. Bye.
Aj Webb (52:01):
Bye.
Victoria B. Glass (52:06):
Thanks for joining us for this week's
episode of the ContagiousVictory podcast. If the show
inspired you to share your ownvictory story, I'm here to tell
you the world deserves to hearit. Submit it to me online at
toriblackmon.com. Review andsubscribe if that feels right.
Telling your friends about theshow helps contagious victories
to grow.
(52:27):
Plus, we all appreciate a littlesunshine. I'm Tori B. Thanks for
listening. I'll catch you soon.
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