New Beginnings

My birthday has always been in a big deal - at least in my own mind. I try to make it a moment of reflection and growth. I've also always treated it as a time for new beginnings. For the past couple of years, it has been the marker of the start of personal projects - some a grand success, and others fell wayside. 

This year, today is the marker of the start of the my most ambitious personal project.
At the end of last Spring, I made the tough decision to take a break from teaching and go all in with photography. It broke my heart to leave a place I love so dearly, but it was a combination of exhaustion and unending curiosity that led me to this choice. 

As you know, photography has been my hobby and love for many years. It is my creative escape and I always knew I was bound of a meltdown if I hadn't done a shoot in a few months. It was something I kept to the side, always intending to take more seriously, but repeatedly coming home too exasperated to think about it. It became a band-aid solution to my desire to live a more creative life.

Ever so slowly, my work improved, my clientele increased, and my confidence reached a point where I felt ready - at least as ready as I'll ever feel. And I took the leap. 

I spent the summer relaxing, holding my partner close, and being with family. I gave myself the time to feel recharged and to let the excitement sink in. Truth be told, I don't know what comes next. I don't know if I'll make it through these test years as a photographer, or if I'll miss teaching too much. I don't know if success or failure lays ahead, and I don't even know what success or failure even really looks like. All I know, is that my heart called me to change, and I finally listened. 

Come along with me as I (try my best to) write weekly about my adventures and thoughts as a new freelance photographer in Vancouver. There will be ups and downs, and tons of mistakes along the way, but I'm excited for every step of the journey.

x J