For the past two years, I’ve been bartending 4-5 nights a week. I always promised myself that as soon as photography took off, I would be able to quit. But never knew when I had taken off – when I booked 30 weddings? When I made $60,000 a year? Two weeks ago, I had a major breakdown. The regulars at the bar were draining me – I was being negative and basically becoming a person that I did not like. I was unhappy with myself, mean to Bryan, putting negative energy toward a job that was supposed to be temporary and not putting the positive energy, time and work that it takes into building a business. Plus, I was seeing my husband for like 20 minutes a day at lunch. It sucked.

So, that afternoon, I cracked open a beer and started going through our annual expenses, writing down what it would take for both of us to make it work for me to quit the bar. My husband just finished law school and opened his own practice, so it’s not like we were rolling in dough by any means. I knew by me quitting the bar it ould be a major leap of faith for both of us. But I had to do it. There was no other option. And there was no other option than that we will both succeed in our prospective careers. Photography makes me happy – it challenges me, it fills me up, it’s my passion.

Since I gave my notice, I’ve booked two more weddings, a few portrait sessions, have three more possible brides and begin this Thursday walking on a cloud. I worked my last shift last night and woke this morning with relief, anxiety and a whole world open to me. I feel proud that I am going for it. I am going to plow through Seth Godin’s so-called “Dip” and come out successful on the other side.

And now for some snow day pics – 12″ we got on Tuesday and today it is melting fast …

Laney, or Laneykins, as her dad likes to call her, was a perfect model despite the major snowstorm we had to work in while back in Illinois. But that’s what made things fun. She will do anything for her orange ball, and we sure tested that out. She sat in poses with her eye on that ball, until her owner, Tim, released her and then she was off and running. She was pooped by the end of the shoot, but I am sure an hour after she was ready to play fetch all over again.

To view all of Laney’s photo shoot, click here

She looks so stoic here.

Within the last 5-10 years, Tim got into hunting and has two deer heads hanging in his living room. I had to include them in some way in the photo with Laney.