http://thesavvysisterhood.blogspot.com/
Dear Marsha (a k a "The Savvy Photographer"),
I don' really know where to begin. I know deep in my heart that this is a long shot considering this is open nationwide and far and near. However, I can't get this off my mind. Below is my simple (and blessed) story....
Presently, I am from Brentwood,TN and I am the wife of the most handsome, selfless, inspiring, God-loving husband, more than any one woman should ever deserve. Together we share in the joy of four incredibly beautiful children, if I may say so myself, ages 15, 13, 9 and 6. The kids and I load up our car every morning at 7 am and travel to school at Lipscomb Academy (formerly known as David Lipscomb.. the campus school to Lipscomb University). I am a PE teacher in the Middle School and the Middle School Girls Basketball Coach. I am blessed without a doubt beyond measure.
It wasn't until the birth of my first child, 15 years ago, that my love of photography evolved deeply. I had grown up around parents that lived daily with a camera wrapped around their necks driving my friends and myself absolutely crazy. But.. when I laid eyes on my precious baby boy, it was then that I as well, fell in love with my camera. That is when I received my first Minolta as a gift from my parents. As he grew and more children came into our Circle of Love, I knew I didn't want to miss capturing a smile, a sad face, or any expression of any kind that molded them into the personality that God had scripted for them. Over the years, they have been the joy of my life! They also have been such fun to photograph!
I was so blessed to be able to stay home with my children, although it wasn't easy. I worked endless jobs at home from medical transcription, to any temporary job I could find that allowed me to work from my kitchen table. As our children approached school age, there was no doubt where I wanted to put them into school. That is when we enrolled at what is now Lipscomb Academy. We managed with one child, but when the second came along, it became more difficult. I, however, couldn't leave my other two babies to go to work. It was then, that many friends approached me about the idea of shooting semi-professionally as I would do end of the year gifts for parents and what not... I looked at them as if they were comedians... "Me?.. A professional photographer?.. You have got to be kidding me!" was my response to what I thought was their silly suggestion. But I knew there had to be some way for me to be able to stay home with my babies.
Over the next several months... I found myself up all hours of the night reading about photography from cameras, lighting, shutter speeds, aperture, lenses, photoshop, layers..etc.. you name it ... I couldn't get enough! I became completely absorbed into everything about it!! About that time, my son began playing youth football and then, my life took a dramatic turn. Growing up a sports girl, playing basketball at a local high school and receiving a scholarship to Belmont University, I couldn't get enough of watching my son play football then basketball, baseball and even soccer! This was what I loved! And shooting Sports was a dream! Over the course of time, I bought a Smugmug site to sell my pictures on, and parents loved it! This was an answer to prayer and certainly helped keep our children at this Christian School that we so loved!
Then, came the third child as she approached Kindergarten... and we couldn't do another. Long story short, we put her in a precious public school down the road and all was wonderful until about April. I was picking her up and out of the blue, I had a moment sobbing uncontrollably. She got in the car and the first words out of her mouth were, "Mom, did you know Mrs. Austin could get fired for talking about God at school?" I dont know where that came from, but I was then reminded that she never came home singing Bible songs as my other children had. I cried out to God and asked why is this so unfair!! Two weeks later, I was approached about a job at my children's school for my current position now. There are no words... God has written my story in an unbelievable way. He has always come through for us, even when I shamefully, doubted He would.
Now, three years later, all four of my children are in this amazing school. We are all there for countless hours during the day arriving home every night usually around 8 or so due to extracurricular activities and well, of course, it is basketball season. But now my children are at the ages where expenses are going to accumulate as we approach cars and insurance and not to mention, college! I am getting to be a tired Mommy some days.
BUT, my LOVE and PASSION is still behind a camera. It is such an escape for me. I continue to run my Smugmug site going on 5 years now. I shoot sessions on the weekends. But I am ready to take it to another level. I want more than anything to attend a real Photography Workshop. However, I can't go out to Utah or Colorado or anywhere like that and not to mention the cost. This is my HOPE! I can get to Alys Beach for the Savvy Photographer Workshop!. We love to vacation on 30A!! I just so happened to stumble upon your amazing blog a few weeks ago!. As of this summer, my goal has been to ramp this thing up! I teach swimming lessons in the summer. So, this summer I used that money and bought a new Canon 7D which I love! I recently had been shooting Canon 50D. I did use swimming money again about 4 years ago, and bought a Canon 2.8 70-200 lens. It very rarely comes off my camera!! .
In closing....well, I could go on and on about my story, but I know there are many like me. I just want more than anything to meet some mothers/women who share in my same passion. Women who can help me achieve my ultimate dream of being that "Savvy Professional Photographer" that I laughed about being so many years ago. My husband has a great job at AllState! But, with four kids, it just takes so much more than one income, seeing that my check basically pays for their education. I cannot ask my husband to work two jobs. But I can!
Confidence is the key and that is where I want to become more Savvy! I can do this! Playing basketball has always been my confidence...But trying new things hasn't always been so easy.. I guess for fear of failure... I am drilling my children to have confidence in everything they do! You only fail at the things you don' try! I want them to see me pursuing my real dream! I don't want to think I had failed them for not trying. They know I love it and support me in every way! Nothing would excite my family more than to see me taking action and pursuing my dream beginning with my first Professional Workshop!
This week, I have begun the process of a new website. It will be the beginning of my dream with a customized site and Wordpress Blog. I can't wait to see it! But, I ran out of time as I was hoping to have it ready and this would have been my first 'Savvy" Post! BUT.. the good news is.. I am going to have a customized website/wordpress blog from JR Smugmug Customization in a few days and that is just another step closer in my pursuit of this dream.
I am ready to take that Leap of Faith that God has been patient with me to take. Sometimes it is hard to read the signs you have been given. Finally, I think He knocks you over the head and says, "Would you please OPEN YOUR EYES!" I love to capture true beauty through the Lens and He has allowed me to do so! When I saw the entry posted on November 21, 2012, ... Well..I knew He was speaking to me and knocking me over the head! That, of course, is my birthday!
I hope that reading my brief story, gives you some insight as to where I am in my dream. I have worked endless hours teaching myself what I know up to this point. I would love nothing more than to become more "educated" in my world of Photography. I want to build a business that will allow me to take care of my family and allow me to give back to others who have helped me along the way.
I hope to see you in Alys Beach the end of February! I can only imagine the FUN, LAUGHTER, LEARNING and of course, most importantly, the MEMORIES! I LOVE a "slumber party" and I could sure use a "girls trip"!! I long to meet new friends who share in what I LOVE! I can be there now in my mind! It looks like an Adventure!! Can't you feel the sand in between your toes...but wait, wait til you see the whole adventure through my lens! I hope to be chosen as one who can share it with you!
Blessings always!
Daree Merritt
DPM Photography
dpm.smugmug.com
