We all start somewhere | I used to think I was the sh*t | Personal Growth | Flash Back Friday

As of November 13th, 2015 I am officially a FULL TIME PHOTOGRAPHER! Did I just write that?? Does that make it real?? I did it! I quit my “other” job! I worked at that big chain pharmacy for 9 and a half years. Fresh out of college, I turned to my cousin who had a job ready for me as a retail manager. As a twenty two year old, this was amazing! My schedule was flexible, I was making good money and I still could go out and party!
After a few years, the stress started to hit me. That flexible schedule was now a lack of routine. I know have six herniated discs in my back, mostly from lifting and moving over two hundred cases of twenty four pack water every week. And to be completely honest, sixteen years of retail and “catering” to the general public is downright exhausting!
I have caught people doing cocaine in our restroom. I had a homeless man point his finger in my face in the shape of a gun and go POW! I was on a first name basis with the police officers in each town I worked. I have been yelled at, belitted and mocked mercilessly for half of my life.
It is safe to say, I HAD ENOUGH!
In 2011, I bought my first DSLR camera, a Nikon D3100. I took it with me on my first trip to Hawaii and fell in love! My camera went everywhere with me! I believe it took over 1700 pictures that trip!

Half way through 2012, I had convinced my friends to let me take pictures of their children. By the end of the year, those friends had convinced their friends to let me take pictures of their children! Wow, did I have a business?? People are actually paying me?? I mean I had a big fancy camera, why wouldn’t they pay me!  I can charge these parents twenty five dollars, maybe even fifty. This is awesome!

If I make this bow pink, everyone will know this is a girl!

Only 2 newborns in and one is smiling? Do I need any other signs?

(I used to bring 2 folding chairs and a $10 beanbag to clients houses for these setups)

(newborn safety?? Let’s just throw a baby in a box!)

Yep, I was the sh*t!

But that wasn’t good enough for me. I had to be even better! I finally discovered the MANUAL mode on my camera and all about the exposure triangle. After countless YouTube videos and blogs, I started to get the hang of it by the end of 2013.

My first naked baby! Who projectile pooped 3 seconds after this picture!

My first composite!

Does that basket look familiar??

I still love this image!

And this one too!

2014 was a game changer for me. I changed my business name and became an LLC. I decided that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Now, I have to figure out how taking pictures of people’s children can keep a roof over my head. I studied, practiced, and studied some more. I learned all that my camera had to offer and how to make my clients look their best.

So now as I sit here at the end of 2015, I can say I am living my dream. The only person who can stop me… is myself! And, if you are a photographer who is just starting out, don’t give up. YOU GOT THIS. You are the only one who can keep yourself from achieving your dreams!