If I love it so much then why?!
my #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 reason |
Reason #2-5: Are named Jacey, Dax, Skye, and Colt. When you are sending Dad and the kids on a vacation to Grandma's house leaving you home to work you know something is not how it should be. The scale is tipping away from family time and more towards work time. Photography has become more than a full time job for me and I need to slow down, and enjoy these moments with my kids. Jacey is entering the pre-teen phase of life, Dax is a new cub scout, Skye gets to start school this fall, and Colt is my baby growing up way too fast, they are excellent, well behaved kids who deserve more of my attention, encouragement, and time. I need to cook them dinner, I need to read them books at bed time, I need to tuck them in at night. I need to be home with them, because all too soon they wont want to be home with me (unless I make the habits now!).
Reason #6: Me! I have been a photographer for 8 years, I have loved every client, I have made some awesome friends and connections, I have gained an incredible knowledge and I count it all as a blessing! I still love photography, and I will always love it, but I can't remember the last time I got my camera out just to shoot for me. No rime or reason behind it, to get out and learn new techniques, shoot what I want. I have found myself feeling relieved to "forget" my camera on family outings-how sad is that?! I have even resorted to using my dinky camera on my phone just so I don't have to sit for 5 more minutes to edit pictures of my family life, but then I always hate the quality of them and wish I had taken my good camera with me. I want to be able to lay down during my kids quiet time and read a good book, and not feel guilty that I have unedited pictures waiting for me. At night when my kids go to bed I want to sit on the couch next to my honey and chat about our day without feeling an urgent need to finish editing a session. I have 2 other jobs and a calling in church that like my family, deserve more of my attention and time.
One of my favorite sayings, and I get to see it in big letters every Sunday is: What e'er though art, act well thy part. It is time for me to be a better mom, wife, caring person, to learn to balance family, religion, and free time. So I hope you are all understanding and can see where I am coming from. Don't worry I will be back at it before too long I am sure, but until then...
I'm proud of you. Decisions like this are hard to make. Enjoy the new change of pace and don't look back! I love your portraits and will miss your talents, but your family deserves to have you - all of you.
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