An Amazing Email!!!

Several weeks ago I was contacted by a photographer from out of state that was really wanting to move to photography full time. She had some questions and was hoping that I could answer some for her. I tried to answer her questions and give her encouragement. It is a very hard decision to make to quit your job and jump in feet first to photography full time...It is very scary, believe me, I know!

Today I received another email from her and it read as follows:

Michelle,

I know you really don't know me from Adam...but I wanted to let you know.

My husband came into my office (of my "real" job) yesterday. On my bulletin board i had hung...

"Don't wait for your ship to come in...

swim out to it" (In case you haven't read my website: I have a story related to this quote on there in the about Michelle Section)

Well, "swim out to it" was covered by a stack of papers. My husband asked, "What does that say? I told him...and his response was..."There's your answer." I'd never told him of the email you had sent me several weeks ago.

I've been up until 3-4am every night for the last two months getting a website ready, putting together price lists, editing photos from pb shoots. Spending weekends photographing strangers for free, offering them prints at cost. I'm completely exhausted and I've been wondering if I'm ready to make the move. A month ago I entered a regional photography show. Two judges came up from Santa Fe, NM. I entered 5 photographs...the max number you could enter. Every photo won a ribbon and I swept the portrait category.

I've had a ton of people come up to me giving me praise about my photos. What's the phrase? Strike while the iron is hot. Well, this morning I gave my notice at my job. I did it because I can't do photography and a full time job and a full time mom, I'm having sitter issues and want to be able to spend more time at home with my children and I don't love my job like I used to (and I have a part time stay at home job that will pay my health insurance) but I made my move. I can dedicate most of my days to the photography business. I'm hoping that determination and a will to NOT fail will help me along. My husband and I opened our own architecture firm 11 years ago now, so I'm not completely dumb when it comes to working for myself.

I wanted you to know that you helped inspire me. I have a gut feeling that this is going to work for me and I'm going to take some wonderful photos for people who may have otherwise NEVER had a professional photo of their family or their newborn baby.

Thank you for your kind words and I only hope one day to be able to inspire somebody to follow their dreams as you have done for me!

I'll keep you posted and would love any tips or suggestions you may offer me as far as my website goes!

Thank you always,

J.

Let's just say I was very moved by what she had to say...It's not everyday that you get an email like that! Talk about the warm and fuzzies! I am so grateful to my mentor Donnalynn for all that she has taught me...it is nice to know that I might be able to help someone else now. I am so excited for her and I can't wait for her success to continue. I am sure she has made the right decision!

J- I am so proud of you, I know how hard this decision was for you. You are going to do great, I just know it!!!

-Michelle