What is my why? How did I get here?
Well, to start I have always loved taking pictures and felt like I had an eye for it. I never would have thought I'd turn it into my career. Growing up my desire was to become a labor and delivery nurse. So that's what I did. I went to nursing school, not once, but three times. The first time around I was accepted into a License Practical Nursing program. I successfully finished that program and worked at a few different facilities as a LPN. I knew that if I wanted to fulfill my desire to become a labor and delivery nurse I would need to go back to school. A couple of years went by and I was accepted into an Associate Degree Nursing program which I started but only stayed for a few months. Why? Well, my husband and I struggled with infertility (a story for another day) and we went through a successful IVF cycle while I was in the program. Pregnancy was rough and I was extremely sick and unfortunately I had to withdraw from the program. I knew it wasn't forever though. I reapplied that following semester, welcomed our first miracle baby into the world, and started the program again when she was three months old. This was when I got my first real camera.
I took A LOT of pictures and my husband knew how much I enjoyed it so that Christmas he surprised me with my first camera. I learned the basics of it and eventually started offering free sessions. I did a variety of photoshoots including families, seniors, and even picked up my first wedding.
During nursing school, a friend of mine would soon be tying the knot and asked if I would like to capture her wedding day. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I gave her every reason why I couldn't and shouldn't but she trusted me with such a special moment in her life and I will forever be grateful for that. Not only did having that opportunity help me learn as a beginner but it boosted my confidence in my abilities and self. The following year I started taking on more and more sessions all while still attending nursing school full time. Then the day came. Finally. I made it. Graduation was here. I graduated, took my state test, passed, and began working as a labor and delivery nurse. My dream.
I always said photography would be my back up plan if all else failed since I always considered nursing my plan A. Man, how wrong was I? I started working as a labor nurse and I loved it. So much. The joy of watching mommas push through all the pain, endure so much, and then seeing their faces light up and hear them breathe a sigh of relief when their baby was placed on their chest are moments I will treasure forever. I worked the night shift and although I am a night owl, it was hard. I missed my husband. I missed my babies. I missed the moments I “missed” and to top it off I suffered severely with postpartum depression after my second miracle baby was born. I would sit there, at 4 a.m. some mornings trying to fight through my sleepy eyes and just think, “Man, I wish I could be home with my babies and pursue my own business.” I would see fellow photographers on social media successfully running their own full time photography business and I was, well, envious. That’s what I wanted. But, I didn’t think I was good enough. There was no way I could leave my guaranteed work hours, health benefits, etc. to pursue something that may not even succeed.
God had other plans.
I truly believe in Ecclesiastes 3:1, that everything has a season. In that moment in time, nursing was the season I was meant for. Until it wasn’t. So much happened during this short time frame of graduating nursing school to deciding to see where my business would take me, which is another a story for different day.
When I wasn’t working at the hospital I was working on my photography business. Building clientele. Building lasting relationships with clients. Learning more and more about the world of photography. Praying for God to direct my path, open doors that were meant to be opened for me, and close those that weren't. Then, when the time came, I took the leap of faith. I stepped out of the boat, placed my focus on the Lord, and said, "Here I am; lead me, guide me and help me". I knew then just as I know now, I couldn’t do it without Him. Three years later I am still here, building a successful business and all the while home to watch my babies grow.
“I would have never imagined.”
That’s what I often said and that’s what others say and think sometimes when they see that I am finally living out my dream. Why? Because so many people never take the chance to step out of their boat. The truth is though, if you have a dream you have been wanting to follow, start believing that it can happen. Believe that your dreams will come true and then LET GOD.
