EA Photography: Why I Photographed Heather Burkett's Book Launch
- Heather Burkett-Ocasio
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
"You miss every shot you don't take." That's what Heather said to me in a message before she asked me, a person she said is a dream photographer of hers, to photograph her book launch. And she was right. Not only had she courageously published her very first book, but she then reached out to me to ask me to gift photography for her book launch.
As a photographer, I see people all the time who are looking for cheap shoots or shoots for free. So having someone ask if I can shoot something for free almost immediately makes me want to say no. Typically it's coming from a place of "I want what you have, but I don't value it enough to pay for it." Knowing Heather, that's not what this was. Heather was coming from a genuine place, a place of kindness and admiration and heart. I could feel that even in her ask. That's why I knew this was something I was going to say yes to.
Honestly, there was something bigger behind this yes. This was also about building community. I started working specifically with small businesses a couple of years ago, and prior to that, I really had no idea how many small businesses are in the area. They are small storefronts that don't get noticed. They are solo entrepreneurs who can't afford the reach of a big company. It's that work that made me realize how much I wanted to share small businesses and tell everybody about every single one of them that I visited.
Small businesses help build our communities. They help raise our children. They help build core memories. They build a legacy. They are our dreams come true. Being able to document people living their dreams is at the heart of why I love branding photography so much. So in the spirit of community, and watching a person I have come to know and admire make her dream a reality, I photographed her book launch, with zero hesitation.
Even before I said yes, before she even asked me, she was always one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. I know she is someone who says my name in rooms I am not in. In an effort to reciprocate, she asked how she could cheer even louder for me and promote my business even more. This was further proof that I made the right decision. I know that if someone approached her in the same way, she would do the same. I have no doubt that she will be paying this forward. That is why one of the wonderful ladies drove up all the way from Miami to be there and support her.
Being able to not only document, but be a part of celebrating possibly one of the most important moments of her life just reinforced my why even more. I want to help build up our community with people who are leading with kindness, people who are taking chances on doing what they're passionate about, and people who are trying to build a life they deserve, just like Heather.
Heather didn't just let me document her launch. She reminded me exactly why I do this work. When I show up to photograph small businesses, I show up with desire and passion and heart, not for my business, but for theirs. And I'll keep showing up with that same energy for every small business I get the honor of photographing.
A very special thank you to Beth Leitzke of EA Photography for not only stepping up to support me and the community at large, but for her kind words in this blog post.
Ready to book your branding session? Tell Beth Author HR Burkett sent you!
Website: https://www.eaphotography.art/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eaphoto683
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