It’s strange to think of Facebook as having a profound effect on your life, but a photography group post from Los Angeles photographer, Christine Sara, did that this week. Talking about all the time photography has taken her away from her family, she shared her revelation and reminded other photographers of priorities. Her story got me to thinking how opposite my experience as a professional photographer has been…

I live a different life now thanks to photography! I spent 8 years, a single mom, in school, working fulltime for other people. That whole time, I struggled with finances and being away from my kids. I felt like I was letting my kids down, allowing someone else to virtually raise, love and cheer them on at their activities.

In a leap of faith, I quit working fulltime outside the home and instead shifting my focus and surrendered to my art, photography. I’m home fulltime now, doing so much more together. Working a fulltime photography business means getting the kids up and started on their home studies at the same table I am editing client photos. I get to discuss their studies and we ooh and ah over photographs. It means packing for shoots and baking cookies for clients together. It’s the first and only job that has allowed me to take my kids to work every day and teach my kids valuable job skills like bookkeeping, sales, and customer care. My kids can set-up lights and test camera settings and are learning to be creative helping me plan sets and projects. Photography has allowed me to show up for my kids activities, be there for my son’s Eagle Project and my daughter’s first day of Venture Scouts.

Last weekend, my work and their scouting came together as we all attended the Mays Family Scout Ranch Grand Opening! I spent the day covering the event for the Alamo Area Boy Scout Council; my daughter embraced her inner “Katniss” and my son lead tours.

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Check our photos from the day!