One year ago, in October, I took the plunge and made the decision to get myself back into shooting and to my business. At the time motherhood was becoming an animal I didn’t know how to tackle and I was craving for a creative outlet that wouldn’t make me feel guilty for doing something for myself and being away from my family.

I tend to believe in fate, and that opportunities present themselves in our lives at specific times for a reason. To be honest I hadn’t thought of starting up and completely legitimizing until I began to see lots of other photographers out there. It motivated me to want to do better, apply myself, and put forward my hard work and creativity for a life long goal I’ve always had. To be a real life professional working photographer.

I’ve had many mentors who have helped shaped me, and I learned from each one of them. It also helped me to make decisions about the kind of life I wanted to live. It’s one that encompasses Photography, teaching, learning both on my part and on my students’, and family. More importantly, a personal goal of being able to take deep breaths and enjoy each moment I’ve been given is perhaps the most important of all. To savor life.

I feel  like I am there. I’ve finished my undergrad, and my masters. I’ve been blessed with a beautiful family, my own and extended. I have an amazing man who loves me more than anything and supports me through it all. I FINALLY get to photograph and create on my own terms. It’s such an amazing feeling.

Today, I am on my way to Colorado. I am going to photograph one of my oldest college friends for a maternity session. She never thought she’d ever be able to have a baby. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it, knowing how sacred parenthood really is. I am the one who is going to be able to provide her with these visual memories for her to cherish and look back on this amazing miracle that she is blessed to be having. Being a photographer has given me that amazing responsibility. My heart is light and all a flutter as I sit down to write this in the airport. I pray that everyone feels this way about their life’s passion. I never would have had these feelings had I not made this decision one year ago today.

Life is amazing.