It’s amazing what a little bit of creative energy can do for the soul. This morning (in my “other life” as an elementary technology teacher), I walked into a room of 18 quiet subdued fourth graders taking lunch count and gearing up for another predictable school day. When the teacher announced my arrival and shared that we’d be spending the morning in our computer lab collaborating and creating the students cheered and gave me a round of applause. (P.S. – I so wish everyone could start their day with a cheer and round of applause, the world would be a much happier place indeed!). The students were so engaged, so invested, so aligned with the lesson presented to them that they hardly realized all the learning also taking place in the process of them working together and making digital art.
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.â€
Albert Einstein
I’ve always thrived on creativity energy. But, two years ago when we lost our first daughter, she ignited a passion in me to create behind the lens of a camera. She inspired the birth of Be Young Photography and I’ve never looked back. Building this family portrait business from the ground up has been one of the hardest, most mentally exhausting, yet rewarding things I’ve ever done. And I’m certainly not done yet.
But, for a long time now I’ve felt like I’m reaching in the wrong direction.
Because in my heart of hearts I need to not only be a photographer, but I need to be a teacher too.
The work I’ve done over the past 9 months mentoring aspiring photographers, teaching local momtographers, and providing photo therapy online to grieving mothers has been incredible. And the feedback I’ve gotten from each of you who have taken part in one of these ventures has been like a constant cheer and round of applause for the help I am able to provide.
You’ve been asking for more classes. More assistance. More help.
But I can’t keep reaching in all of these directions. A full time teaching job, energetic toddler, husband, portraits, in person and online classes. Something has gotta give. Something has to go. My own creative energy is being stifled and if I don’t do something soon I’ll be running on empty and they’ll be nothing left to give.
So, beginning today I am taking a break from portrait work. I am no longer booking portrait sessions for the foreseeable future.Â
(If you are already booked, don’t worry I’m not going to leave you hanging – and if you are currently looking to hire someone fabulous for your family portraits please please go check out my good friend and fellow photographer Kelly Nelson at Kelly Nelson Photography. She does amazingly incredibly awesome lifestyle work).
It’s time for my creative sabbatical. I need to start reaching in all the right directions for where Be Young Photography is going next on this creative journey. I need to refuel. Fulfill some of my own creative goals. And make room for some amazing new opportunities for YOU. For the next few weeks it’ll probably be pretty quiet around here. But I promise if you’re patient and stick around for the next chapter, you won’t be disappointed.