As many of you know, back in November I took a chance and left my job of 6+ years as a graphic designer for the Colorado Springs Independent to work for a small graphic design studio in town. Some perpetual hardships in the Art Department in addition to the fact that I'd been feeling a bit burned out on design for quite some time were two major reasons motivating me to leave. Truthfully, I'd been looking for a new job for at least a few months beforehand because ultimately I realized I'd become far too comfortable in the position and found myself stewing in all the little negatives that tend to exist within so many companies. So I was very fortunate when a previous coworker (and friend) whom I'd worked alongside for more than 5 years at the Indy offered me a job working with her and the super-sweet owner of the studio. Needless to say I accepted in a heartbeat. (The hardest part of the transition was that I'd be leaving my most favorite boss-and one of my best friends-in the world.) It wasn't long at all in my new position (a couple weeks?) before I realized a change of scenery wasn't all I required and I accepted the fact that I was no longer truly enjoying design like I used to. And somewhere along the line my dream job being a graphic designer had become a 9-5 drag that was slowly sucking every ounce of creativity from my body leaving nothing left and therefore little desire to pursue my side-passion: photography (In fact, in the few months prior to leaving the Indy that I was looking for a new job, I was spending more time looking for work OUTSIDE the industry than within it. But this job being offered to me was too good to pass up and I truly couldn't turn it down.)
Fast forward to last week when I stumbled upon the epiphany that it was time to take my second chance in less than two months and I very apprehensively but resolutely gave my notice to the owner that I needed to leave and would finish out the month (hoping that in that time, they can find a suitable replacement for me.) So with the support and encouragement of both my husband and a few great friends I'm embarking into the great unknown. I've decided the time feels right to stop shoving photography to the back burner and to start prioritizing it - even possibly making a modest living at it. I've been shooting since I was just 16 years old and I've never stopped loving it. And somehow in spite of myself, within the last ten years I've found moderate success in the fine art photography world. I've been published in beautiful volumes alongside so many amazing photographers on many occasions (I've been invited back to the New Erotic Photography Volume 4 due out Spring of this year!), I've been featured on numerous websites and I've been invited to participate in quite a few collaborative shows in addition to more than a couple one-woman shows both here in Colorado and one in Rome in 2010. All of that without devoting nearly as much time to it as I would have always liked.
I'm a little nervous, a little scared but mostly just really EXCITED. I feel extremely grateful for this chance and for the amazing people in my life who are standing behind me in this new adventure. I already have a few customers wanting to book shoots and my boss has very graciously agreed to continue utilizing me for any photography her clients may need. I also plan to continue doing some freelance design on the side because as I've been told "Gotta keep that design muscle in shape!" I think some time out of the 9-5 grind will do me some good and I look forward to loving being creative again.
A few days ago I saw a piece of typography online that said "Sometimes on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one." How appropriate.
(Please send me whatever good luck, thoughts and vibes you can spare. I can use every drop of it.)