I won, I won, I won!!!!

I can hardly contain myself, can you tell?

I won a contest for an online photography workshop through a photography blog that I read.

You may remember me saying in my big update post that I'm moving in the direction of calling myself a photographer... for real... 

And if you missed it... that might actually have been my goal - because I have been so hesitant about stating my intentions out loud because I'm so afraid of failure and scared to death that I might actually stink at "what I do."  (ie: taking pictures)  Ok, the being scared to death and afraid of failure is a different post completely, and I'll probably never actually get around to writing about it - but long story short, I think that's been my biggest obstacle in starting a photography business. Well, that, and having no idea what the name should be, and maybe a few other things.

But there.  I said it.  That's my goal.  I want to start a photography business.

My heart is racing as I'm typing these thoughts. 

I had a conversation a few months ago with the owner of Photo Pro in Cedar Rapids and he told me the 3 things I should concentrate on are lighting, lenses & education.  And I was in complete agreement with him. 

I made an investment and bought a nice lens and an off-camera flash.

Now I need the "education". 


So I had been eyeballing the workshop.  But the cost was making me hesitate.  And then the workshop filled up completely and I was out of luck until the next one was offered who-knows-when.

But then, I won it. 

Can you say God Wink?  Or maybe God shove?

I also had the complete privilege to assist my friend as she photographed a wedding over the weekend.  (The same friend who photographed my kids last summer, and did Avery & Brynn's 1 year photographs)  I had such a great opportunity to pick her brain and get a chance to photograph parts of a wedding with no pressure but the pressure I put on myself!  And I observed, and I learned, and I tried, and it was fun! 

Do I think I'm ready to run out and start a business now?  No.

But I'm a few steps closer.

And I can hardly contain myself!