Photo by my friend, Abby Waller!

This whole thing started with a Groupon. Yep, you read that right – a Groupon deal. My friend Jeremy sent me an IM at work one day with a link to a refurbished Nikon D3200. I always loved taking photos and I wanted to learn more about photography, so I bought the camera.

I didn’t start my business right away though. Actually, at the time I didn’t even know that I wanted to be a professional photographer, or a business owner for that matter. I loved the technical aspect of photography and the problem solving skills that it requires. It was a fun puzzle to me – the environment I was in required a precise combination of settings and numbers to make a beautiful photo, and I needed to solve that puzzle. As time marched on and photo opportunities popped up here and there, I also fell in love with the impact that photography can have in someone’s life. I have the ability to freeze time, to capture a moment, and to preserve a memory. God set my heart on fire for this. I knew I needed to pursue it.

My business was born in April of 2015 and it has been my heart and soul since day one. With each session, email and click of my shutter, it became more and more apparent to me that I was made to do this. Pa always told me, “the good Lord has you by the hand, just read the signs” and the signs were becoming clearer and clearer each day. As I chased this dream, the most incredible people were brought into my life. My business grew and clients turned into friends. I traveled the world and captured precious memories. I was doing exactly what I was led to do.

While the last two years have been so rewarding, they have also been incredibly stressful. My days often start at 4AM and end in the late hours of the night, just so I can keep things running smoothly while still working in my full time IT job at USAA. Fast forward to today, and here I sit typing a post that I have longed to write for years. This week will be my last week in Corporate America.

YES! I said it! I’m going FULL TIME!

This decision was not easy to make, but after countless discussions with Andrew, number crunching and prayers, both Andrew and I kept returning to the same answer – it is time. I can do it. I NEED to do it! The hustle has finally paid off and I wouldn’t be here without the unending support from my friends, family, and especially USAA. My chapter at USAA is coming to an end, but I am so overwhelmingly thankful for my time there. It’s where I met my husband. It’s where I found my passion. It’s what gave Andrew and I financial peace and the ability for me to say “no” in the early stages of my business. Because of that, I am forever grateful. Even though it’s tough to walk away from my amazing co-workers, I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m reading the signs.

Steve Jobs once said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” Friends, I found it and I’m so ready for this adventure.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.