So Here's My Life

The things we make,
the food we eat and
the shenanigans in between.

A blog about making things by
MICHELLE SEXTON

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Something new

Because I haven't put up any pictures in a while....

I took this last week. I read an article about how to shoot butterflies in a Popular Photography Magazine. I noticed butterflies outside my window fluttering around a blooming bush a couple of days later, and I put my newfound knowledge to work. I don't know if it will get accepted to iStock, where I sell my pictures (i think only about 1/3 of the photos I submit get accepted), but it's ok, because I love this picture anyway.

So speaking of photography, I have 2 things to share:
1. My website should be done in a matter of days. I'm really excited to share it with you guys. So hopefully everything will go smoothly, and these final little details on the website will be ironed out. I'm really anxious to show everyone my work.
2. I had this amazing realization a couple of days ago that God really does have our best interest in mind. (of course I know that, but I saw it again) When we first moved out here, my goal was to pursue photography. Soon after we were unpacked and settled in, I did a Google search to locate all the photographers in the area. I picked up the phone and went down the list, calling them and asking them for a job. I had little luck...but I did have interest from one photographer. When I talked to him on the phone, he said, "Hey, baby!" Yeah, it was a little weird. I felt a red flag internally, but he wanted to see my portfolio. So I started to work on it. But I couldn't get that nagging feeling out of my heart - "This is not the type of person you want to be working for." I talked to Joel. I talked to my mom. I talked to some friends. I got the same response from everyone - don't work for him. Leave this situation alone. I knew in my heart that I shouldn't pursue this opportunity. God had made it quite clear. So I chose to let the opportunity pass. Inside I was terrified that I had blown my opportunity to learn and grow as a photographer. I feared that I wouldn't find another opportunity.

Several weeks later just by chance I stumbled on a job opening at the studio that I currently work for. This studio not only offered training but also pays me to get my certification as well. I was content with my job, but in the back of my mind I wondered where I would be if I had pursued the other opportunity with the first photographer.

A couple of weeks ago, I was on my way to work when I noticed a sign in the median between opposing lanes. It was a photographer advertising his work, in fact it was the photographer I almost pursued to get a job with. He had his website posted on the sign. So I made a note of it, and checked it out when I got home. To be really honest with you guys, after checking his site, I'm so glad I have my current job instead of a job with him. His work was sloppy. His subjects were poorly posed. His portraits were less than impressive. The only way that I know this is because the training that I have received at my current job at the studio. I'm so glad that I didn't take that job. I now know that this was the place that God wants me to be. He has made is so evident, and I definitely would not know as much as I do now, if I had taken that job with him. God is so good! And I'm so glad that I chose to listen to His voice instead of following my own and trying to make things happen on my own!!

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