There are so many photographers out there who are simply amazing at what they do, so many that inspire me, but I do have a favorite above all …. Amy Wenzel is a huge inspiration to me as not only a photographer but as a honest, true and heartfelt person. Ever since I’ve found her I’ve been dreaming of attending one of her workshops. Amy Wenzel is teaming up with I Heart Faces to giveaway one seat to one of her workshops in May. To enter I’m suppose to share how I inspire others. I’ve always been a girl with big dreams and aspirations, making those actually come to life and pushing away the thought of possibly failing in the act is the area in which I lack. I’ve always been afraid of jumping in head first, always selling myself short. When I picked up my first dSLR and held it up to snap a photo of my little baby girl …. a dream hit ….. a huge dream hit me hard. I’ve always loved photography, I love to look at a photograph that holds something special, a little memory that is now a life long treasure because it’s on print.
My mother-in-law was one of those women that everyone wishes they could be. That everyone looks up to and can’t figure out how she was the way she was. A lady of courage, strength, faith, service and love. A woman who let her house be, even when it really needed a little TLC, to go lend a helping hand all the time. She saw the good in everyone and everything. She always had a camera around her neck, she had a love for photography. She took photos of everything and has a room FULL of 4×6 prints … thousands and thousands. She believed that’s what life’s about …. creating, capturing and then treasuring a memory. This sweet lady battled an excruciating cancer and passed away a year and a half ago. Before she passed she wrote me a letter, one that I will never forget, and one that has led me on my path. At the end of the letter she told me that she loved what I was doing (photography) and that she admired my art and that God was proud of me and what I was doing for I was capturing His history. That one phrase “God is proud of you” coming from one who was closer to God than anyone I personally know meant everything to me and has changed my life.
From that day forward I set all thought of fear of failure aside and decided that it was okay to jump in head first to follow a dream and to do something good. I have always believed that it’s so important for everyone to do what they love … I tell everyone to follow their dreams and to not look back! Try not to allow regrets to shame your life. I took this photo of my little girl and my husband, when I received it in print I cried and knew exactly why I do what I do! This is my lifelong treasure! Now go …. follow YOUR dreams and don’t ever look back!
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