Heartfelt:

I'm going to make this a super quick heartfelt note, only because if I take my time writing down my feelings, it'll just drag on and on and you'll be bored out of your mind!

So! It's been a crazy year full of changes, and challenges. Never thought the end of school would come, but it definitely has! The thought of it is finally sinking in and I'm sitting around asking myself what I'm to do with my life from now on!

I was working 10 hour days through most of the summer at the Information Centre, so from about last fall till now I haven't have a lot of photography opportunities. Being a young photographer is wonderful, amazing, exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Up until now, the well has been pretty dry when it comes to getting session bookings and I was scared for a number of reasons: maybe they didn't like me, didn't like my style, could find a better deal at Wal-Mart or Sears, I was charging too much, etc.

However, I've come to place where I've realized I just need to be vulnerable to my audience in order to get a reaction. I personally love certain photographers because they're not afraid to open their heart to the public, share their ups and downs, and just be real, genuine, authentic friends to their clients. Good news! I am not terrified anymore! I am going to live my life through my photography and let the whole world see. If God brings new clients into my life: wonderful! If he doesn't: I'm okay with that, too! I haven't really seen a whole lot of potential in Elk Point anyway- but who knows?!

I'm so thankful for the people that do support me: mainly, my church family. I wouldn't pay $40.00 for a calendar by a young 19 year old photographer, but YOU do! That's amazing. I love you all!

I've been following a couple hand-fulls of photographers from all over the world for a long time now and have learned a lot about the business especially recently and have learned that photographers are not successful because of where they took their training- if at all! Or because they own an expensive camera! Photographers are successful because of who they are, what makes them unique and different from the rest. 

I've suddenly been falling in love with photography over and over again and I've also figured out why. God in His grace caused me to see past my future plans to go to beauty school, see past tuition costs, living expenses, moving to a big city, and the difficulty of taking that first step into reality after high school. I was so focused on my future that I took no time to enjoy the present and what I could be doing right now.

My interests are always evolving but for the past two years, photography has been my constant & consistent passion. I want so badly to do like they say in the movies, "follow your heart," "dream until your dreams come true." Since a recent change of plans to go to college with a friend I feel very free to pretty much do whatever my heart desires and whatever God wills. He's closing and opening a lot of doors! Right now, through inspiration, influence and direction from friends and family, I want to chase a career in photography as hard & fast as I can- and all the while serving Jesus Christ.

This fall it is my goal to carry through with photo session after photo session after photo session, to grow in my skills as a photographer and gain as much experience as possible. I want to build a client base enough to show to a fellow photographer any maybe get a chance to apprentice with them! Who knows! It's all in His hands right now! Keep me in your prayers!

Thank you for all your love and support.

Courtney

"Photography is not a sport. It has no rules. Everything must be dared and tried!" -Bill Brandt 1904-1983

P.S.-- Okay maybe this note got to be a little longer than expected! Patience is a virtue!! :)