Happy Tuesday Friends!  I’m currently sitting in a hotel in Nashville while my kids are on class trips from New Orleans to the “wilderness” and thinking how super blessed I am.  I was chatting with a lady the other day and she asked, “did you know this is what you wanted to do when you were young”  The answer….Yes & NO!  I though it was time to share a bit of my “story”

I always knew that I would own my own business…I can remember sitting in the back of my parents old station wagon when I was 10 …and planing out “Distinctive Designs” my business that would be a creative hub for all aspects of design.  I drew logos and planned store fronts and made lists of all the things I would need to do to accomplish my dreams.  So did I know I would be a photographer? No, but I did know that I would have my business.  I believe that back then…when I was 10, God started planting a seed, that it would grow and be nourished all along.

When I went to college I had no idea of what to focus on, in fact, I struggled so much and really wasn’t a great fit for a traditional liberal arts college, but those life experiences and the people I met along the way, I all played a part of the dream that was planted.

I then explored a bit of event, I also painted anything on everything for clients, once even painting the nose of an airplane.  I loved my artistic side, but didn’t want to sit behind a canvas all day.

After meeting the love of my life, I (we) dreamt more and more about a store front, but couldn’t figure out a way to manifest that.  I started to dabble a bit in photography as soon as my kids were born.  I began scrapbooking and documenting my family and their lives.  I read and taught myself as much as I could about exposure, composition and editing and saved all our pennies for my first DSLR.

I then began teaching scrapbooking at a retail store (on the side) and people started asking me about my photos…I realized that not only did I love the “art of photography” but I also knew that I could probably build something from it.  So began Sara-Anne Photography.  I worked a full time day job that I didn’t love, but it helped to pave the way.  I was picking up clients along the way and realized that my passion for building the business was even stronger that my love for my art.

That spring, I lost my mom (and grandmother) in a horrible auto accident.  I realized then that life was too short to be doing something that I hated, and with the support of my husband and my family, I quit my day job and never looked back!  That was 10 years ago today!!!!!  It’s amazing to me how my dream has come to life and with the provision from God and a lot of blood sweat and tears (many of those) I am doing something that was birthed in me over  35 years ago.  That my friends is God’s faithfulness!   God was faithful and still ordering my steps!  Since then I’ve had many highs and some lows, of which I will share the rest of this story later this week, but when I sit down and take some time to really think about how this all happened, how Sara-Anne Photography came to be, how this little girl with a dream of owning her own business was able to follow that dream, it’s because of Gods faithfulness.

One of the things I love about my “story” is that it is a picture of the fact that

1.  Dreams can be achieved, especially if they were planted by God
2. You are never to young (NEVER) to have dreams that will affect you the rest of your life
3. Our roads are not straight, they wander like a river curving, but they get us to the destination that we purposed to be, the road is part of the journey
4. You always need people in your court, cheering you on and believing those dreams too!
5.  Nothing is easy…it’s hard work, but the reward is amazing!

Switching gears a bit…I’m so excited to share this sweet couple’s engagement session!  I have loved getting to know them and hearing about their plans.  When planning their session, Ashley asked about trees, she loves tress…and I knew just the spot!  I love their connection.  I love the way I took her hand, I love their excitement and that they were up for anything!  Ashley and Ryan, you two are the best…these pictures capture you love and spirit and I can’t wait to be a part of your wedding celebration!