Oh the Places you'll go! Recognizing the gifts before you and following your dreams!

Organic Chemistry.

Physics.

Developmental Biology.

Photography.

What do all those have in common?  

My education!!

My journey to becoming a professional photographer was not always the path I was set on.  I have always been a driven and passionate person, especially about the things I love.  When I played sports(basketball was my absolute fav!!), I always was striving to be better, and improve.  However, I always knew I wasn't going to be a pro-athlete, so I had to find a different career path.  I chose biology as a major and dedicated myself to almost 3 and a half years to getting into Dental School and later becoming an Orthodontist.  

It was an October when my whole path changed.

I had always taken photography in college. I fell in love with the dark room and developing my own film and printing my work.  It was so rewarding to see my print come to life in those dark room trays.  It wasn't until one afternoon with my oldest sister that my love for this art would turn into the road to entrepreneurship.  

She was viewing some black and white proofs I had taken of her and she loved them.  She turned to me and said, "You're pretty good at this.  Would you ever think of doing this as a career?". 

My answer was a resounding YES!!!!

There it was...a new path that had just opened before me.  The first path, which was nicely paved, as my Dad is an orthodontist, my mother a dental hygienist, my oldest sister is an orthodontist, and my other older sister is a vet.  Oh...no pressure right!

But I decided I did want to do this, and so begun my path to entrepreneurship.

I did graduated from Albion College with a Biology degree.  A far stretch from a professional photographer.  I loved my time at Albion College, and the classes I took(well ok, maybe not organic chemistry!).  Even though I don't use my biology degree in my career today, having taken those classes taught me how to work hard and not give up.  Something you definitely need if you are starting your own business.  They say most businesses fail within the first 2 years, and that you actually don't make a profit or pay yourself until you have been in business for 5 years.  I am sure there are exceptions to this rule, but I was not one of them.

My road has been tough, trying and even down right heart breaking at times. But I have made it through it, and I wouldn't change it for the world.  I love my career...I will do this forever!

I now have my own studio in Michigan, and I mainly do High School Senior Portraits, however I photograph many other things.  I always tell my senior clients as they are thinking about colleges and careers themselves.  Find something you love and are passionate about.  You will figure out how to make a living at it.  I am living proof!