Hello again DA!

Wow...today I started thinking about DA, a place that I have not really been around much at all anymore...but it was a place that was inspiring and moving to me as an artist. A lot of things have happened since I was last on here. Well my subscription expired, and I had to renew it. lol And then I had to clean out untold numbers of messages and comments...and found a new journal skin. Once I as done with that, it was onto figuring out DA again and posting this new journal. lol

Anyways, for those of you who remember me, I had a dream that I talked about on here periodically, about becoming a professional photographer, well that has come true. I still am doing it part time (although it seems like a full time job with the hours I put in) while I continue to work as a tech support rep. I have been primarily focusing myself and work, on portraits, fashion and beauty work. And things have been great, I have made a lot of great industry friends here locally, muas, hairstylists, models, etc I even was the photographer for 5 weddings this summer and did family portrait sessions too. LOL Crazy as that seems, and better yet, I got paid! lol

But one of the most important things that happened, is that one of my goals came to life...when I started doing photography here on DA, I was a newbie and had so much to learn. And being on here, I was inspired by the other artists on here, both pros and non pros alike. And as my photography skills developed, I started being drawn towards portrait and fashion work, while still retaining my love for digital mixed media work, such as my fantasy work you see in my gallery.

Well as time had gone on, my one main goal that I wanted to hit was to get my very own fashion spread in a fashion magazine...and it happened. It was a for a new startup magazine in our local area, 414 Magazine. When I have some time I will post some of the photos from that shoot, the release party and tear sheets. It was a great moment to have for sure, and the start of what I hope is many more just like it.

But as I always knew, having something like this happen to me was not the beginning of the end, but just a new step I reached, I have so, so much to learn and develop as a artist and photographer.

But one of the other things I have also learned with trying to pursue photography as a business and eventually a full time career...is how the art side of it all could fade easily, how the business becomes more then the shoots and creative aspect...after all it is a business. And no matter how many people tell you that, it is so easy for the spakr to fade.

So what I have learned over this last year, is to not overdue it, let the creativity and spark floursih, to not work till I make myself sick in the morning on photos, to know when to say no, sorry I can't do that shoot and to know when to find my way back to places like DA and the friends I had on here. So over the next week or two, I will start updating DA with some of my more recent work, so be prepared. I will also be doing some creative photo hunts, to do some photography work that is not portraits or fashion. And I can't wait, I am so excited!!! ;D

So that is the reason I am back and hopefully for a good long while, probably not every night, but enough to stop and at least say hi and from time to time, show my new work and be inspired by all you artists and friends. I want to see what you all have to lately. So if you want, please post a note below and catch me up on you.

Till Next Time!

Abby