Pay What You Can Days...And More

This blog is going to be a little bit different. First, I want to tell you a little bit about myself and why I chose photography. In 2018, I was faced with multiple injuries and concussions, and it took me out of my first love, which was music. I played clarinet in my high school band and a community band in the town I grew up in. So, JDeVries Photography was born out of a love and passion for creating moments that I wanted to live forever.

Flash forward to April 2025, I was faced with medical issues. I was fresh from ankle surgery that made everything seem impossible, and I was dealing with "episodes" that would cause me to blank out. I needed to make sure I was putting my health first, not only for myself but also for my son at home. So the uncomfortable choice had to be made: do I stay on medical leave, or do I resign from my full-time 9-5 job to be able to focus on health and family? I chose the option to resign. People thought I was crazy, but medication and stress weren't helping. I was a zombie from medication by the end of May and being told to just let it run its course and see what happens. I went to my family doctor multiple times and a neurologist, and the only answer anyone could give me was "it's migraines."

Dealing with everything I powered through and started photography full time. I started with my Pay What You Can Chatham, Ontario day in May and that day was the most sucssesful day that I've had. I didn't think when I posted that I would have book the whole day, but I did. I felt a sense of accoplishment from that day. I was able to chat with clients, and it solidified why I have a pssion for photography, it's capturing moments that so many wish they could, moments that they want to live forever not just for themselves but for their family.

In July, I held my second Pay What You Can Day, but this one was an hour away from home; it was my Pay What You Can Day in Windsor, Ontario. I posted it a month prior to the day, and it remained unbooked. I felt defeated. But I powered through again, posted, shared, called on friends and family to share, and shared in groups. I was able to book four sessions for the day. All of them booked the week before the event. Within a few hours of each other, I had gone from nothing booked to fully booked, and I honestly cried because so many had told me I wouldn't be able to, and I proved them all wrong.

I still have one more Pay What You Can day to book, and it will be London, Ontario. I am busy looking for the right location and the perfect day so stay tuned.

I also currently have a model call posted on my Facebook Page for Charismas photos! I will also be choosing a day to do Christmas photos to recieve donations for RMHCSO.

This is just the beginning for JDeVries Photography so stay tuned!