I turned my passion for photography into a business the spring of 2008. I wake up every morning excited about my work. I get to do what I love. Now that doesn't seem like such a crazy idea.

Luckily - and I thank God every day for this - I had a dreamer's spirit. I took a leap of faith and attended Otterbein College majoring in Art with Photography and Computer Art concentrations. I fell in love with the fine arts along the way - spending time not only fine tuning my photography but discovering drawing, painting, collage, and art history. This diverse education made my photography what it is today.

With this great relationship I had with photography, it should have been an easy decision to go to school to develop my skill. But it did not seem that simple to me. I loved photography, but I thought I should be choosing some serious career like becoming a lawyer or a doctor.

One of the first pictures I remember taking with purpose was of my sister and brother. I believe I would have been seven years old. I remember thinking of this as more than just a snapshot. I had taken the time to find the location, pose my sister, and use props. (Why with a yardstick? I just don't know!) Looking back through photo albums, it seems I was always taking my siblings on mini photo shoots. The pictures made great Mother's Day gifts.

Why not do what you love? I asked myself this question more times than I can count. I have always loved photography. I get that gut wrenching ache for it at times. I even crave it. It truly is my passion, and it has been for a long time.