It still doesn’t feel real… I am a full time photographer!

As I sit here, looking out at the beautiful Florida scenery, it feels like any other vacation, but it is not. When I go home, I am not going back to my regular 9 to 5. I am going back to my office, my business, and the world of self employment.

I came on this little vacation to celebrate my new career and visit my dad. After years of working 12+ hours a day, 7 days a week, a girl deserves a vacation, am I right? So I figured I would take this time to recharge and clear my mind so I could head home and take on the world of self employment full force. But, in true Chelsey fashion, after a few days of relaxation, I am back to work here in Florida. I can’t help it, that’s just how I am… a bit of a workaholic. I guess that is what got me here though, and for that, I am thankful. Thankful for those late nights editing, the hours spent educating myself on photography and business, the nonstop to do lists that clutter my desk so I don’t forget anything in the craziness that is working two full time jobs… All of the blood, sweat, and tears (literally) that got me here. The place where I can say goodbye to working for someone else, and yes to investing in myself and my dreams! I could not be more excited to finally be at this point in my career! I LOVE being a photographer. I LOVE my clients, and I LOVE the fact that I now get to focus all of my energy on my business! I know this is going to be a game changer for my business (I mean, look, I have already designed and started my blog!). I know I will be able to do even more for my clients, continue to grow as an artist, and hopefully get back a little more time for me. It won’t be an easy road, but I am ready to work harder for it than I ever have before! So I invite you to follow this blog, follow along on the journey, and enjoy some beautiful images. I hope you love what you see here, and I hope to be featuring YOU here soon!  In the meantime, here are a few photos from sunny Florida to warm up your winter blues…

Before I go, I have one more thing to add… THANK YOU!!  I want to thank everyone who helped get me here…

• to all of my clients past and present, it means more to me than you can imagine to be trusted with the responsibility of capturing your most precious moments- thank you!
• to those special few clients who took a chance on someone new all those years ago and have been with me since the very beginning- it has been my honor to watch you grow and change and share in these moments with you. I am lucky to consider you friends- thank you!
• to my loving husband, amazing family, and unbelievable friends who have not only put up with the craziness that comes with working two full time jobs, but continually cheered me on and offered me nothing but love and support- thank you!
• to my fellow creatives- my photography tribe- you all have my back through the thick and the thin and never ceases to lift me up and inspire me- thank you!
• to anyone who has ever had a negative thing to say about pursuing a career as an artist- it only fueled my fire, so- thank you too!