PHOTO DIARY

I run and operate a one-person portrait photography business. Having your own business requires doing more than just what I like to do, which for me is photographing furry four-legged critters and babies. The most challenging part is maintaining balance between my business and personal life. The most rewarding are the relationships I've developed through my business.

I usually get up around 7 am and pour myself a cup of coffee. I work from my home, so to go to work all I have to do is walk over to my office area and fire up the computer. Next, I plan and prioritize the tasks for that day by checking my weekly schedule and seeing what is on my to-do list and follow-up list. When I'm not in a shoot, most of my time is spent on my computer editing photos and putting together albums. I try to schedule out-of-office meetings and appointments all in one day and reserve the weekend to schedule shoots and client meetings. Usually, my doggie Riley and I take a break around 11 am-our exercise time. When we return, I make lunch, watch the noon news and get back to work.

I took photography as an elective class in high school. Surprisingly, I showed some natural talent. But being an only child of high-school-educated parents who expected me to go to college, I chose to attend the University of California at Santa Barbara and get a bachelor's degree in Pharmacology. For 17 years I worked in the biomedical field. From this experience, I learned disciplined organizational skills, the value of customer service and the nuances of managing project teams. I got burnt-out on my career choice and, because I didn't want to spend so much time away from my husband, I made the decision to pursue the path not chosen so long ago. My photography education and training was through trial and error. I was fortunate to befriend a professional photographer who became my mentor. She talked me out of taking formal photography classes to obtain a degree in photography. I took the “sink or swim” approach and Enrolled in workshops and seminars, joined organizations and attended photography conventions. Through this method I've learned to stick with styles that appeal to me. You cannot be everything to all people, so it's best to focus on what you like. Those with similar tastes will be attracted to you. Don't worry about the others.

I like the feeling that I am contributing, giving back to the community and making a difference in people's lives. It makes me proud when I go into a client's home and they have my images of their family all over. I get the feeling that I have preserved their family history and memories.

I don't have the specifics, but I like being part of marketing teams developing promotional strategies and participating in implementing those plans. For the photography part, I can play the role of art director as well as photographer. Working on designing the promotional collateral is a way to stretch and explore another avenue of my creativity.