I’m about to begin an amazing journey into following my dreams & am SO glad you’re here to join me!
So… just a few months ago, I had never stepped out of “auto” mode on my camera! Yes, it’s true! Despite a lifelong love of photography, almost always having a camera in hand & even having ‘an eye’ for it… it hadn’t actually occurred to me to go ‘learn’ how to use my camera properly, let alone make a career out of it! I simply admired in awe, those that I viewed as amazingly talented & successful at it, knowing I was ‘good but not like that’! THEN in the Summer of 2012 my dear hubby, Ken, knowing how much I loved & adored my photos but was always frustrated if they didn’t come out ‘the way I saw them’ surprised me with a Groupon to a 2 hour, Intro to Manual course at a local photography studio (Jennifer Weinberg Photography). At this time, the only thing on my mind was improving the quality of the OH SO MANY pics I take of my family… and having a little fun finally getting something creative back in my life again. I had no idea all the things I could do with what I already saw through the lens once I started learning some of the technical skills! And… I immediately LOVED IT!!! I came straight home to watch for more deals & ended up signing up for another at that studio, plus a “Moms + Camera’s” course through Rebekah Tozer Photography. Both styles were very different but I found that quite beneficial in rounding my new skill sets as I needed! The fabulous, Rebekah, mentioned something during her course about ‘… then you could take it to the next level if you wanted to’. I started thinking about the fact that my current contract job was coming to an end in a few months. Due to company contracting rules, this would be leaving me out of work for 6 months before starting my contract again. Ken & I had already decided that I would ride out the 6 months & not hunt for another corporate job. SO… what do I have to loose?! It was one of those light bulb moments – HERE & NOW is my golden opportunity to finally get to follow my dreams!!
I have dreamt my whole life of having my own business & doing something fabulously creative! I even have a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in NYC but have been busy being Mama, growing up, learning responsibilities over dreams & not ever in a situation to take a risk like starting my own business. I’ve tinkered with other creative things, always with the feeling of ‘but it’s still not my designing’. THIS is different though… for the 1st time, I am absolutely passionately in love with something as much as my designing, not even a bit bothered that it isn’t designing & honestly, wondering what on earth took me so long to figure out that this would be my calling?!
With all this in mind… I am on a mission! 😀 I have been taking as many classes as I can cram in – local courses, online classes & workshops; researching & reading; pinning inspirations & ideas. Even doing all the formal legalities to be an honest to goodness serious business! “Wingfield Mink Creative Services, LLC” was formed in January 2013 with a DBA of “Jen Mink Photography” currently in progress. Local licenses & permits being worked on. Certifications in progress. The works! Needless to say there is NOT a whole lot of sleep going on over here & right now, while I do still have the day job to juggle all this set-up around – boy am I exhausted… BUT… I believe, without a doubt, that it’s all gonna be worth it. I am determined that I will do this right, start off on the right foot and be SUCCESSFUL! 🙂
In March 2013 my corporate ‘day job’ will end and I will have the wonderful opportunity of 6 months to focus on my health, enjoy the blessing of time with my children, see what I can do with this dream & where it might take me! I’ve always been an open book & feel that’s the best way ‘for me’ to handle going into this… yep, I’m the new kid on the block, I’m well aware of it & ok with it. Everyone has to start somewhere. I also know that I LOVE photography, am putting my all into learning everything I can and am so VERY passionate about the artistic beauty of capturing memories in photos! I’m excited to meet the wonderful smiling faces that will become part of this dream with me… to share my photography as it grows & develops… and to blog my journey with you – sharing not just my photography growth but life in my world so that you will know me – exactly as I am & hopefully be comfortable like a dear friend when you come to a session with me!
… Jen
