Carrie Zimmer Family Photos // Jenny Spires Photography

I clicked the reply button with my fingers crossed as my message whooshed into internet space on route to her inbox. Up until this point I had been set. I knew I had several weddings this year and my usual suspect and repertoire of second shooters was nil. My trusty and surprisingly amazing with the camera husband had taken a new job that required so much more of him. My amazingly dependable friend who had shot numerous times with me was giving birth right before my first wedding of the year. I knew that I could hit up forums leaking with new photographers anxious to gain experience, but I ached for someone comfortable who I knew.

My finger resting on the wheel of my mouse, I scrolled through Facebook one afternoon catching up on friends when I came across her name. She was a mutual friend, someone whom I didn’t know well, and I quickly recalled that I’d seen that she had very recently started her own photography business in Tucson. She would be perfect, I thought. I just didn’t know if she’d be interested. My message landed in her inbox and it wasn’t two hours later that she had a reply. She was excited and very nervous. She made sure that I knew that she had never shot a wedding before and didn’t have a lot of experience. I told her that it was 100% ok that she didn’t have a lot of experience and that someone had taken the same risk with me and it was my turn to do the same. When she replied yes, she also told me that just the night before, she and her husband had specifically prayed for photography opportunities. We knew it was meant to be.

Fast forward t0 a whirlwind of weddings this year, all photographed with Carrie as my second photographer. I took a risk on her and she on me and I think it’s safe to say that we’ve been blessed by each other. Since I sent that message earlier this year, I’ve gained an incredible friend. As we’ve mentored together through many months, I can safely say that Carrie wasn’t the only one learning and growing. Through shooting many hours, long car rides to wedding, phone conversations and emails back and forth, I’ve grown too. She’s inspired me to get out of a comfortable place that I have been in in my photography and challenged me to learn more out of my repertoire of knowledge. And how she’s grown. It has been such a joy to watch her photography grow beyond measure. I’ve gone from saying she’s going to do great things to she’s doing great things. I’m only sad to have moved so far from her!

Please follow along on her journey here, here or here. And if you’re in Arizona, call her for some incredible photos!! Yes, I’m endorsing another photographer, but that’s because I believe in her that much!

The last time I was in Phoenix, we decided to turn my camera on her sweet family. They are incredible on the inside and out and I’m beyond blessed to call them friends!

Aren’t her little munchkins the sweetest?

My favorite kind of photo! 

And the gorgeous Carrie. Beautiful on the inside and out. 

Her sweet husband, Peter.

Easily, these were my favorite family shots from our session.

What I loved most, was that Carrie’s number one request was photos of her and her husband. I always encourage my clients to take photos together… such treasures. I love that she wanted these. 

How obvious their love? Ahh.

Thank you Carrie! Thank you Zimmer family!