In April 2010, I met Scott Robert Lim, attended his amazing workshops, and began the journey of being a professional photographer.

On July 1st, 2011, I made one of the biggest decisions in my life and had my last day at my full time financial software job.

July 1st, 2012 marks the one year anniversary of a full time relationship with my biggest passion, photography.

One of the many milestones in life: Your High School Graduation

If you were to ask me what I wanted to do after High School and College, photography was never in the equation.  I thought about becoming a Pharmacist.  Then an Optometrist.  Maybe a Chiropractor.  Then the whole aspect of science and more school scared me, so I thought maybe a computer programmer, because I loved writing html.  I disliked learning Javascript, so in no more than two weeks, I dropped the javascript class, and switched to Business.  Then I transferred to the University of San Francisco, where I  concentrated my studies into Finance and received my Bachelor’s in Business Administration.  I was a happy girl, proud to be a businesswoman… of some sort. During all of this indecisiveness, I always hung out with my friends and capturing all the memories we created… every single day.  In elementary and middle school, my mom would go to Costco and develop my film – double prints please!  When digital cameras started to come out, I carried a stack of smart media cards and extra double AA batteries for my Dad’s digital camera justin case I ran out of space or battery juice.  Camera after camera, it always had a permanent home in my backpack and/or purse right next to my cell phone.  As my collection of printed photos started to grow smaller, the stacks of burned CDs filled with memories began to grow.  It was a necessity to always have my camera with me. Ten plus years pass by,  my smart media cards got upgraded to SD and Compact Flash cards, my newest point and shoot camera (Canon S95) still has a home in my purse, and my camera collection grew.

My Dad and I admiring my Uncle's collection of Nikkor lenses.

When I was just finishing my last semester at USF, I interviewed and was hired for a financial software company called Advent Software as a Client Support Representative.  I started their intensive training program in July 2007, and passed with my fellow classmates, Jackie, Stephanie, and Phil.  I climbed the corporate ladder, became a Senior Client Support Representative, then a Team Lead for my fellow Moxy Team.  My awesome manager Terry was my mentor, and my kick-ass team was my family.  While working, I began taking photography workshops with Scott Robert Lim and loved EVERY SINGLE BIT OF IT!!  I saved up all my money and vacation time to attend more photography workshops taught by Scott Robert Lim and traveled to places such as NYC, China, Paris, and Vegas for WPPI.  I loved photography so much, it came to a point when having work and photography, together, became a struggle.  My alarm used to go off anywhere between 3:30 – 5:30am everyday m-f.  I would pry my eyes open, crawl out of bed, try to wake up in the shower, get ready, then drive to work in San Francisco.  9-10+ hours later, get back into the car, drive home, then sit at the computer (again), editing until 12am.  There was never enough time to be great at one thing, so my breaking point arrived.  Then I made the biggest decision of my life and it was bittersweet.  My last day at Advent Software was on July 1st, 2011.   (more of the story here).

One year.  One year flew by with the snap of a finger, yet, not really.  Day to day, I had full control of what I was doing – some days went by super slow, and some days disappeared out of nowhere.   Where did they go?!

“I know this is going to be a really rough journey, but I have faith this is going to be the best decision I’ve made in my life.” – From July 2011 Bittersweet and onto the next chapter (part 3)

My life changed over the last two and a half years when I first met Scott Robert Lim.  Over the past year, I traveled and I learned a lot of things.  I continued investing and learning from Scott Robert Lim’s workshops in Hawaii and the Bahamas.  I had such an amazing time at the Bahamas workshop – it was just as amazing and life changing as the China workshop, if not better.  I also had an amazing experience helping shoot a wedding for Scott in the Bahamas.  In addition to workshops, I also made travel arrangements and visited Boston, Hawaii, Southern California, and Cabo to do numerous shoots including weddings, engagement, maternity, family.  One of my goals is to  continue being a destination photographer, so my purpose for traveling to new places aside from the Bay Area California was to continue working on my craft and widen my horizons and portfolio.  From taking a big risk traveling, I was given the wonderful opportunity to shoot a beautiful wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in May!

Aside from traveling, I spent a lot of time self reflecting and learned more about myself.  With my photography, I’ve been soul searching to find my vision, what I want to become, and what my signature style is.  While a signature style may take many years to develop, it could also evolve infinitely throughout a career.  Sometimes when I’m editing in front of the computer, I could be staring at an image for hours – loving it, but figuring out its deeper meaning and how to bring it out through post processing.  As frustrating as it can be, I would have to step away from it for several hours to clear my mind and come back to edit with a clean palette.  One of my latest travels to Los Angeles helped me find myself – again.  I had the luxury of having lunch with my mentor Scott, and assisting and spending time learning from the amazing Tauran Woo.  I knew that seeing and spending time with them would help inspire and re-energize my passion.  And that, it did.  My outlook on the future immediately became brighter, and I now have a clearer direction on where my journey will continue to grow.

Throughout this journey, I’ve been figuring out how to survive, monetarily.  A struggle I’ve prepared myself with when leaving my full time job is to learn how to adapt and survive with my first year’s photography salary.  To be honest, this past year was really tough, scary, and uncertain at times because I wasn’t sure how much I would make.  Even though I was prepared to make little to nothing, there were times when I freaked out watching my bank accounts diminish.  So far, it’s the middle of 2012, and I’m not making a whole lot.  I haven’t calculated it year to date, but let’s just say last time I checked, it’s less than maybe half a college graduate’s salary.  Less than half.  It’s really tough being in a highly saturated market of photographers when the barrier to entry is very low and affordable (this is a whole new topic, but I won’t go into details!).  Financially, it’s tough, and I just have to keep going.  I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer, BUT just keeping it real.  …and I haven’t been shopping in a long time!!  With the savings I have left from my previous job, assistant work I’ve helped other photographers with, amazing boyfriend to help put food on the table and help pay for mini vacations, supportive father to help with my photography investment, and the amazing clients that have hired me for 2012, 2013 and beyond –  you are helping me grow my dream and keep it alive.  Thank you.  Even though I might be poor for the rest of my life, I know that I’m doing something that I love.

Doing something new, and creative - a flipbook!

The last thing that I learned, is to do something that you love.  I already love portraiture and weddings, but if there’s one thing that makes me go WOW, and truly inspires me, it’s beauty and glamour portraiture.  I don’t know if I enjoy more of the cosmetics and makeup portraiture, or the process of makeover transformations.  One of my favorite types of shows are the transformation shows, such as “What Not to Wear”, and give an entire wardrobe, hair, and makeup makeover.  By the time the show is done, she immediately feels more beautiful and confident than she already is, she’s glowing.  It’s that glow and sparkle –  I can’t explain it, but you girls understand (or I think do) it’s just like magic, and that’s what I would love to capture more of.

One day, maybe, I would love to work for, or be sub contracted for a makeup company.  Do you know anyone?  😀

THANK YOU to the guest of Jen + Charles' wedding for capturing this awesome moment in Cabo San Lucas!! I love this picture a ton, I had to share it!

Overall, this year has been very hard but an amazing journey.  I will always continue to learn and add more tools to my repertoire.  To make next year even better, I will continue working harder than the last and hope that I can maybe put some food on the dinner table for once 😉  *crosses fingers*.  All in all, I’m loving what I’m doing, and I hope that I’m creating something that YOU LOVE TOO.  Making clients feel beautiful, capturing their happiness and love, and sharing their stories is what I love doing.  I hope that I’ll have many more wonderful years ahead.   Here are a few takeaways that I’ve learned from this past year:

• Never lose sight of what your goals are.  Keep track of, and ensure you are at least meeting them if not exceptionally exceeding.  If not, have an exit strategy if need be.
• Find a mentor.  Or many mentors.  They will help guide you through much faster than learning on your own.  And, the right way.
• Practice what you’re doing.  Often, if not all the time.  Getting rusty strays the passion away.  Competition will eat you alive!
• Learn the business side of things.  Learn about how taxes, licenses, insurance needed.
• Meet and socialize/network with people who are:  1)  where you want to be in your journey 5 years from now  2)  not too far ahead of you  3)  right about where you are.  This can be a very lonely journey for many people.  Scott Robert Lim built a community of photographers that we can trust and rely on if anything – he created a support system for us.  Create your own support system by having people to look up to, ask questions to, and even share stories will help enlighten your journey.
• Stay real with yourself, financially.  Money doesn’t grow on trees and unfortunately, I can’t “make it rain” either.  Health insurance, car insurance, rent/mortgage, and food all require a monetary sum.  Know your limits, forecast and plan savings and expenditures accordingly.
• Never forget why you made the decisions in the first place
• Live life with no regrets and have fun!

THANK YOU to:  My wonderful friends, fans, and amazing clients!  JT Artistry, Shear Fashion Salon, and Sweet Fuss:  You ladies create miracles.  Thank you for being amazing Makeup and Hair stylists and making my clients feel even more fabulous.  My parents, especially my Dad, probably my #1 biggest fan.  And last but not least – Scott Robert Lim and our awesome family for helping me get through the ups, downs, and the greatest times.  Thank you Scott for teaching me everything.  Thank you everyone – Without all of you, I would not be here today.  You all have an important place in my life and are all helping me make this dream happen!!!  Thank you all for sharing my craft and my story – cheers to many more to come!