Happy Two Years Laura Bodnar Photography (and Happy Birthday to ME!)

I posted this picture on my Instagram on my 22nd birthday and wrote “I am excited for what’s to come, saying yes to risks, dreaming big and living on purpose”

Wanna know something funny?!

My business and I share a birthday. Yep, you read that right! The evening of my 22nd birthday I created a Facebook page and started my website.

I remember specifically sitting at my desk in my college house and thinking, what’s next? Graduation was only weeks away and I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. Except for one thing. Be a photographer. I finally bit the bullet and said, “if I fail, then I fail” I’m only 22 years old, it’s not too late for me to try something else.

And that began the beginning of my story.

I had no clue that putting my “yes” on the table would start the trajectory of this life. I remember sitting back and watching so many people I admired doing things that they loved, traveling places, shooting weddings, capturing beautiful legacies, and I wished that I could be doing those things as well.

It turns out when you say yes, you get to start doing those things rather than being a bystander. I went from sitting on the sidelines to actually playing in the game! My message to you in this is that when something seems scary, it’s a sign that you should actually do it!

Here are some highlights from the past two years:

• Booking my first wedding

• Shooting numerous proposals

• Having work featured on How He Asked, Kentucky Bride blog, and Brit + Co.

• Meeting SO many wonderful friends. From fellow photographers, planners, brides + grooms, and everyone else. This has been the highlight of being a photographer, is just simply the relationships I’ve developed.

• Learning to shoot film

• Second shooting for sooo many wonderful and talented photographers

• Buying the Contax 645 (probably the biggest highlight!)

• Attending the Southern Weddings V. 10 Launch Party

• Traveling to Austin, Texas to second shoot

It truly has been such a wonderful journey and to think that I’ve only scratched the surface of what God has planned for me is so exciting!

I just want to take a moment to thank anyone that has encouraged me, prayed over me and my business, hired me, or cheered for me. I truly don’t think I’d be able to do what I do without you!

P.S. There is a fun little giveaway going on over on my Instagram (@lauracbodnar) for a $50 Anthropologie gift card! If you comment on this blog post ( you can write whatever!) and add your Instagram handle, You’ll get 5 additional entries!

Here are some fun behind the scenes pictures from over the years!