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    Three years ago I was contemplating dropping out of school and getting into photography. It wasn’t a decision made in haste; I thought and prayed about it for a long time.

     I wasn’t happy in school. I was restless, and I needed a change. After a month went by, I finally voiced my thoughts to my parents and a few friends. My parents told me to pray about it, and do what makes you happy. My friends were a little warier of it, and they had every right to be. I had a tendency to start things and never finish.

      I remember coming across this quote, “You can do anything as long as you are willing to fall flat on your face.” I can’t remember where it’s from. I looked it up and couldn’t find it, but I wrote it down on a yellow sticky note and stuck it in my wallet.

      One night in early December of 2011... I did it. I finally decided to drop out and get into photography, and it made me sick to my stomach. I didn’t want to waste years; I didn’t want to waste time. I most certainly DID NOT WANT TO FAIL.

    When I first started out I was so… naïve. I didn’t do enough research. I definitely didn’t have the skills. I didn’t understand posing or lighting. And if I had realized how saturated the market for photography was I really don’t think I would have ever begun this adventure. I am almost glad I was ignorant because I would have always wondered.

            I look at myself now, excited at the changes that have happened, and excited for the changes to come. A little overwhelmed, but excited all the same.

            I am definitely not sitting here talking to you as if I am someone who has arrived. I am still currently employed full-time outside of photography. I am, however, sitting here as someone who plans on never arriving, because no matter how good you get you can always be better. I don’t care who you are.

         Remember earlier when I told you about that yellow post it?

    Well, it's saturated with holes from being pinned on my bulletin. Dirt and fuzzies now cling to where it used to be sticky. The ink smeared a little from my fingers rubbing across it. I remember picking it up numerous times about to throw it away because I didn’t think it was written neat enough. But I didn’t.

            I have moved twice, completely forgot about it, and last week it fell out of one of my filing bins. I couldn’t believe I still had it.

“You can do anything as long as you are willing to fall flat on your face."
TO BE CONTINUED

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