Much of my career was spent as a Junior High English teacher. It was never boring, and it brought me joy for a long time. Eventually, though, the focus on standardized testing along with very long hours and minimal resources caused me to change jobs. I now work normal hours at a local non-profit.
Of course, my income dwindled drastically. The holiday season was approaching so I crafted home-made presents for my family using my own original photographs. I started off by making (blank) greeting cards without telling anyone what I was doing. I showed the first samples to friends at work--their praise astonished me. Then my family raved about the card boxes they received, so I set out cards at work a couple weeks before Mother's Day. That first year I made $175 in two weeks, despite having no formal training in photography.
About half my collection is flowers, and the other half is everything else. I love color, but am intrigued and currently experimenting with black and white. Customers kept telling me they were putting the cards on their walls as art--now I sell my photos matted and ready to put in frames.
When I'm taking photos, everything in the universe falls away--I'm at peace, in my element, feeling nothing but pure joy.
