My life changing news...

Do these give you a hint?








Well....these shots are purely amateur. But, it is what I have wanted to do my whole life. So, starting June 1st, I will be attending the Summer Intensive, two professional series courses in weddings & editorial portraiture, and Advanced Intensive at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography here in Missoula, MT.

I don't often share very personal stuff here, but maybe it is time for just a little snippet into my decision. I really wanted to go to school for photography the first time around. But, at the tender age of 18 when I was very impressionable and a little scared of being in college....my counselor talked me out of photography because it was a journalism degree at the University of Montana. So, I pursued Business Administration instead, with my emphasis in both marketing and management. And you know what...I don't regret that decision. Having a business degree is only going to help me in the long run. And the fact that I have worked for the past 7 years in a business related field has given me experience that will be invaluable.

After graduating and getting married...I put that dream on a back burner and didn't really think about it much. I still took tons of photos and still loved doing it. But, we were so green in our new life, and I was fresh out of college with a large debt from said college to pay off. And while photography didn't become unimportant...it just became out of my reach for the time being.

Fast forward to when Josh surprised me with my first DSLR in October of 2006...the entry level Nikon D50. I was in love. I don't think in love even describes it. The speed....the settings...the clarity it shot with- photography came to the forefront again. I took hundreds upon hundreds of photos with my D50. More photos than I even knew how to edit. Along with taking the hundreds of photos...I started learning how to use Photoshop. I still only know a small portion of Photoshop, but I look forward to learning it inside and out come June 1st.

I started thinking a lot about photography school, and I learned about the school right here in Missoula. Lots of fabulous reviews from past students, instructors...even community members who have either know students or hired photographers that graduated from there. Starting in January of 2008...I was studying and devouring the website often. I think by July I knew everything they had to offer by heart. By November...I was consumed by it. I knew I had to make a decision. So- finally at the beginning of this year, I sat down with Josh and we made the decision. It was time for me to reach for my dream. To pull it from the back burner.

So, since then we have been getting everything in line for me to start in June. I have to quit my job in order to attend...so we have been saving. The financial aspect has been the scariest part for me, but we have it all figured out now. I can breath a sigh of relief, and actually believe that this is really happening. I can tell people that I am going to school because I know for sure now...I really am. That thought just makes me smile.

So, there you have it. A little bit of my heart poured out. I am excited, and nervous, and scared...but more peaceful than I have felt in a long time. I know this is the right decision for me and for Josh...and for our future.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my exciting news! If you made it this far....you are a saint. I will be sure to take anyone along on my adventure that wants to...just keep up with my blog starting June 1st. (Well...I would love for you to keep up with my blog before then as well. Tee hee!)

Until later,
~Lea

PS- I know that I mentioned a giveaway card challenge...and I still plan to do it. I totally dropped the ball this weekend on it, and I am so sorry!! Please be on the lookout for the challenge information this week! I promise there really will be one, and it is a great giveaway!!