Shutter Sisters

Reach

By

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My head is swimming. As photography starts taking over my life, I find that I can think of nothing else. Mostly it is the business side of things that consumes my thoughts. I am in the beginning stages of developing Spark Photo, and I feel like I am at the edge of the deep end, sticking one toe in the water. My thoughts can sway from fear to excitement in 3 seconds. One second I’m thinking, “Can I really make this work?” and the next, I’m sure of it. I am so inspired by what I see in the Shutter Sisters Flickr Group as well as a few others I frequent. Every amazing photograph I see pushes me a little further and makes me even more sure that this is what I need to be doing. It’s kind of funny that it has taken me this long to realize that a career photographing children, babies, and families might be what I’m passionate about. In fact, I’m not sure why I didn’t put two and two together in college when I was majoring in art and working part time at a preschool. I have always loved kids and visual arts. Now I realize that when I briefly considered majoring in art education I was so close to figuring out a way to combine the two.

But as happy as I am to have found something I am passionate about, I find that I have a constant stream of questions running through my head. And I am always making mental lists of things I need to learn, buy, or do to make Spark Photo a functioning business by summer. However, as daunting as it is, I am encouraged by the amount I have learned in a short amount of time. I’m approaching the point of no return and I’m ready to go for it.

Comments

  1. Ah, the emotional rollercoaster ride called Following a Dream. Scary, no? But believe me, when you’ve conquered it…you’ll be a different person.

    It’s a scream. You’ll LOVE it.

    Best of luck and good fortune to you! Your photos are amazing. I’m such a huge fan of natural light with portraits.

    You got this, girl.

  2. This is a WOW photo! I am so excited for you. When I looked through your growing portfolio, I thought you’d already gone pro because your shots are definitely professional caliber. It wasn’t until I’d emailed you that I realized you hadn’t officially launched the business yet. I admire you for taking this big step. You know your Shutter Sisters are going to be behind you all the way, cheering you on…And you already know I’ll be gleaning from your wisdom and experience in the coming months as I daydream about someday being free from my corporate job.

    xoxo

  3. I know the feeling! so exciting and daunting all at the same time. I literally was wondering over and over what I could do from home the whole time I was doing it. It was as simple as looking at what I held in my hands.

    I love looking at your photos, you truly have a gift. Go for it!

  4. Good for you! As an accountant who is starting on the same path as you are, I completely understand your feelings.

    Following your dreams can be frightening and exhilarating all at the same time.

    Congratulations on being brave enough to follow your dreams!

  5. I feel the same way everyday…sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and just think about "the biz" and how am i going to keep it all in balance with 3 kids and a baby on my hip. Congrats on jumping in this deep and wonderful pool…the water’s great , isn’t it?

  6. your words resonate so much! i wrote similar words myself recently. isn’t it amazing to find a path that just clicks! i’m looking forward to seeing where this path takes you and spark photo!

  10. Go, Baby, Go! I will be interested in following your journey. It is one I hope to have myself. Congratulations on being so close! I bet you’ll be fantastic.

  11. She is absolutely gorgeous. Photography takes over my thoughts too but in the way of WOW – how do they do that? I appreciate great photos and love the stories behind them. I am no photographer but I definitely love taking photos of my kids 🙂
    LOVE your site 🙂 🙂

  12. Your words echo so closely to my thoughts lately. I set out to study photography and found such a joy in it. When I think of doing it as a business, I feel thrilled and terrified at the same time.

    I found your site from Design Mom. I am very excited to do a little looking around.

  13. I am headed in the same direction as I join my mom in her photography business. It’s scary but yet so exciting and unknown. I can’t wait to watch your process through this site.

  14. I am glad to see that so many others share my awe and admiration of your incredible talent – others who know more about photography than I do and who are not your mom! 🙂

  15. i remembered feeling like going to highschool for the first time…for the first few weeks when I openend my own nursery school with 80 places for children aged 6 months through to 7 years of age…I was petrified! And today….5years later…i look back…smile really wide…and breath out…it was all worth it!

    You can do it….it is scary…but worth every breath! xx