Raising the Bar

36 Photos, originally uploaded by KellieAnn Reynolds.

I spent a few hours last night pushing photo after photo into tiny frames, meditating on the year of 2010. I picked the photos for each frame based on how they looked in such a small square. I don't know why I wanted to do it, I just did it... very thoughtfully. Good thing, too, because I needed to update my blog. Here's what went through my mind:

2010 was a big year for me, photographically speaking. 2010 symbolizes the year I decided to go full-time as a photographer.

Until now, a lot of people will have been unaware that I lost my day-job nearly 2 years ago. Don't feel bad for me, it was the best thing that could have ever happened. In the past, I have worked for corporate banks and medical agencies as a back-end collector, and I worked for a lowest of the low telemarketing firm, as well. I loved my bank job and maybe I would still be doing it to this day if they hadn't relocated our department to Arizona, a move I only occasionally regret not making. I also freelance as a graphic designer and have had some success working for authors and websites (making banners and mailings) as well as logos for independent businesses. People also commission me for one-of-a-kind works of art. I get a lot of enjoyment out of my job in design. Plus, I am good at managing myself. And when photography came along, it took over my life in such a new and exciting way ... I figured why not go full-time? So, with the support of my darling husband, we used some of our saving's and I started my own photography business. Was it the best decision I could have made? Not just Yes, but Hell Yes!!

Yes, because I have the freedom I need in order to indulge in creative endeavors to stay sane. I get to be my own person to-the-max (people really like me!), and I [mostly] get to make my own schedule. I have the privilege of meeting new people and create with them. How cool is that?! Very cool. And, the biggest reward of all is that I feel a huge sense of accomplishment at the end of each day that I rarely felt from the other jobs I've held. However rewarding that may be, those awesome perks are such a small part in the overall scheme.

Those awesome perks are NOT why I started my own business. I started my own photography business because there was work to be done! Parents were asking me to take photos of their kids graduation ceremony (and the party's are always fun, too!). I even shot for a few non-traditional weddings, as well. I was getting asked to show up at 1st Birthday parties to take candid photographs of their child smashing their cute little fingers into cake. Bands and Musicians wanted to stand out from other bands by having me shoot their promo material. People inquired, Do I take Pet Photos? Why, yes I do! And the best part? They were all offering to pay me to do just that. So that's exactly what I did.

And now, it's what I do. I make pictures with people. A dream come true! Now I just gotta keep the ball rolling. :)

Until next time,
XO-kA