I was going to quit photography

 

I had been a photography lover since I was a kid and whenever I had a few bucks I would buy a disposable camera.

I would covet those 24 images and only hit the shutter button when I knew it was a picture worth taking. 

when we would go to the grocery store I would always sneak off to the developed film boxes (remember those?)

now I am not sure if I broke any laws and admitting this will probably make me look like a crazy person 

but

I used to look through the other envelopes other people had developed.

I just wanted to see what everyone else was taking pictures of.

what was their eye seeing ?

what things did they want to remember?

luckily my innocent eyes never saw anything I shouldn't have seen.....eeek nude pics

and luckily now I have pinterest and facebook to do my weird picture snooping obsession :)

I took a photography class in high school 

worked at sears portrait studio for a few years

and then begged my husband one year to get me a big fancy camera

he did

and I was so excited!

but I had no idea how to use it.

I read tons of books and websites

watched thousands of youtube videos 

took a few classes in college and on the internet

but mainly the best way for me to learn was by just doing it.

trial and error.

I practiced and practiced

and I loved every minute of it

I felt like it was my thing and I wanted to soak everything in

I look back on some of those beginning photos and I can't help but laugh at myself.

for example:

 

This was Miss Belle 4 years ago

I had this brilliant idea to put turkey feathers on her bare bottom to make her look like a turkey for her first thanksgiving.

I was so excited about how this picture turned out.

but now after all that I have learned this picture is ummm well bad.

the selective color is really cheesy

my poor baby is not posed in any flattering or comfortable way

the backdrop has a huge gap showing the floor

the crop is cutting off Belle's head for no reason

BUT I still really thought the idea was brilliant

so I wanted to try to recreate it using Hazel and all the things I learned over the years:

 now I am not saying this picture is perfect but I am much more happier with this one than the old one.  Photography has really helped me in so many ways. it has been a huge part of who I am. it's amazing to me to see my older work and my newer stuff and how far I have come. it is a confidence booster and I needed that because

I stated a while ago that I was taking the end of the year off from my photography business.

 but what I didn't share was the fact that I was feeling so burnt out and tired that I wasn't sure if I even wanted to start it back up.

I never wanted my photography to feel like a job or talk myself into doing a session

it was nothing someone did or said

 it was just me missing the fun I used to have.

there was a lot of factors that just made me feel down about it

then

I see all my photographer friends posting all their new pictures and it does make me miss it.

 I have had a lot of distractions with the new baby and lots of family time.

I have gotten to do a few personal projects and started brain storming new ideas for future projects.

I want to stretch myself and do more art work along with the normal family, baby, senior sessions.

I want to do more charity work

and  really see things grow and reach the stars I have been nervous and doubtful I would ever reach.

I have been so blessed with such great support from each and every one of my photography clients and jobs. I am excited to get back into the groove at the start of the new year. I have some big changes coming. 

I am going to take this time off to spend time with my family but also really reflect and work on myself and grow my photography skills and plans. 

I just wanted to share with all my photography friends and clients, that I miss you and I am coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!

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