taking risks

“In 20 years you will be more disappointed by what you didn’t do than by what you did.” ~Mark Twain

I came across this quote the other day … I love it. It reflects one reason why I stepped out into this photography gig, in spite of being scared to death, filled with fear, and battling all the “what ifs” swirling around in my mind. I am a risk taker. I think more often than not, it has little to do with  my level of courage and much more to do with a greater fear of missing out on something wonderful if I don’t step out and take the risk. I would rather take a chance and flop than miss out on something great. WHAT IF I  don’t do something I deeply want to do because fear is keeping me from doing it … WHAT IF it would have been successful? WHAT IF God uses it to do bigger things than even I can imagine?  I’m more afraid of not doing than I am of doing it!  So what if it fails … at least I’ve learned something from the experience … even if it’s just that I’m notgood at that something. I’m okay with that. A friend told me recently “Julie, your SO tenacious!” She’s seen me try my hand at making and selling handbags, hand-drawn portraits, mixed media artwork, mosaics, and other creative outlets that I’ve sold or explored. I never really thought about it. And I wouldn’t consider those efforts to make a little cash failure. There was interest in them. I made a couple of bucks. I enjoyed the creative process of all of those outlets. But it’s the experience off all those put together that perhaps continues to make me who I am. All of those outlets have been my journey in finding my way as an artist. To be called an artist. My heart’s desire. I’m also motivated by a love of learning. I love non-fiction books – I gravitate to them. I soak them up. I consistently have piles and piles of non-fiction books from the library usually related to my latest whim – lately it’s everything about photography, on camera flash, exposure, Adobe Lightroom,  mixed-media art, and on and on. I consistently ask the library to order the new ones {Journal Spilling can.not.wait to get my hands and eyes on it.} I’ve learned how to mosaic and draw portraits and sew bags {something I continue to love!} I’ve learnedso much and I know I’ll be able to apply these learning experiences and talents that I’ve acquired into my life in the future regardless of the perceived success or failure of them.  

So here I am … because of hope and lots of prayer … learning the photography thing. This time it’s more intense. There is a huge learning curve. It requires a greater investment of time and materials. It’s more technical – sometimes I feel like my head is going to burst with all that I need to absorb. However, it’s a perfect fit for me. I need variety {every family is so different and every shoot is totally unique}; I need to learn {I don’t think I will ever learn all there is to know about photography!}; I need flexibility {I need to work it around my family’s needs}; I need it to be creative {my style of photography requires a very creative/artistic eye!}; and I need people {loving all these beautiful families!}. I love that I can use my more difficult life experiences to empathise with those who have not otherwise been able to have a nice family picture taken, and offer something that’s affordable, beautiful, and high quality. Would you believe that I was doodling “Julie Kittredge art & photography” in my personal journal a month before I was ever asked to shoot that wedding that sparked everything? At that time it was a seed of a dream. Amazing. The perfect fit.

So DO it! If there are some small risks you’ve been putting off taking because you’re afraid it might not work out the way you had hoped, step out one tiny step at a time and give your dreams a chance … it may blossom, it may not, but at least you can say you tried. And you will learn something from the experience. If it’s something you’ve been dreaming of doing for a long time, you will never ever regret trying, but you may regret not trying. Also, I encourage you to invite the Lord to come with you and guide you … you won’t regret it. I can tell you … nothing I’ve done – particularly this photography adventure – has been without my faith. In fact – I don’t know that I would have been willing to take the risk without it! My faith is what lights my path and provides the cushion when I fall or am disappointed. Faith makes taking risks a little less scary because I know I’m not alone.