Family News and My Perspectives Photography :)

I am excited to announce (for those who don't already know) I have quit my job as a pediatric nurse.  This decision came after alot of thought, discussion, and prayers.  I never thought twice about returning to work before Emily came along, I was going to have her, stay home for 12 weeks and return to work.  Once Emily joined us everything changed - for the better.  I now could not sleep and night knowing that I was going to have to go back to work and leave her for almost 10 hrs. every day.  My sister was going to be watching her and that made it sit better with me, I knew that family was going to be with her all day and even though she had to be away from me it was my sister - her aunt - watching her who I trust completely and I knew she would be very well cared for and truly loved.  As the weeks ticked by it just got harder and harder knowing the time was coming all too soon where I would have to be away from my little girl.  I shed many tears over knowing I was going to have to leave her...I would have done anything to be able to stay home with her and love her all day, but we have bills to pay. 

Paul and I started talking and we had decided for me to go back part time, I was going to try and have 2 days off a week - but be flexible.  My job previously had let many many other nurses work part time and change schedules to be more family friendly, so I never anticipated it to be an issue.  I had gone as far as telling some family and friends that I would be going back part time (3-4 days a week) before it was even official.  When I tried to work it out with my employer it was not possible.  Due to the current staffing demands they really needed a full time nurse, so the next week after much more discussion and debate I turned in my resignation letter.

While deciding to go back to work part time, I had decided to start a photography business to supplement the income.  I sat down one day and though about what I really enjoy doing and what makes me happy (besides holding Emily all day).  I immediately knew taking pictures was the answer.  For as long as I can remember I have been interested in photography.  Some of my favorite memories growing up are helping my dad in the darkroom in our house on 8th Ave.  And helping or playing in the darkroom at his office.  If I wrote them all out this blog would be too long and you would all get so bored.  In high school photography was offered as an elective, I signed up for every class I could.  It was so relaxing for me to go out and just take pictures.  I just had so much fun (and was so happy) during the whole process.

Over the last few years I have looked at nice cameras and just wished I could get back into photography again.  Well now I am, so my idea for little supplemental income is now turning into a full time business.  I have decided to become a Photographer.  This will allow me to set my own work hours, and stay at home more.  I want to specialize in maternity through childhood portraits.  Paul and I had been remodeling part of our house which I had been annoyed that we were taking so long to finish - poor Emily needs a room.  It has worked out perfect though, now we will be able to have part of the job finished as I want for a photography studio.  It is not a huge area, but it will work perfect for portraits and it has an outside door so clients can come and go and not have to be in our main house.  I can get the area set up just how I want to!  I will also plan on going to clients homes to do portraits and have come up with some fun ideas that I hope will help get my business started.  I know it will be slow going at first and things will be tight around the Braem home financially but Emily is worth every sacrifice.  I keep telling myself something my dad said to us when we told them I was going to work part time and start doing photography.  He said (based on much experience) that you will never regret the sacrifices you make now, to improve things for your child.  It is so true, and I feel blessed that I am able to make this change to spend more time with Emily.   I also have been so blessed that my dad has sat down with me and spent many hours looking at camera reviews, helping me pick out a professional camera to get started and has given me many tips and pointers along with hand me down supplies.  And I look forward to many lessons to come :)

I just look at Emily now and instead of tears that I have to leave her all day I have tears of joy that I am so blessed and lucky to have an amazing husband that has been so supportive and while I was going back and forth with the issue he just flat out said to me "you are not going back".  And supportive parents that I still look to for advice who have listened to me, and my dad especially who has helped me VERY much with the photography end of things.  And my sister, she is a mom too and has been very understanding and supportive.  I really felt bad backing out on her as daycare is her job and income for the family.

I have started my website so you will have to check it out.  Nothing much up yet but everything needs to start somewhere.  Eventually I will post all my client photos after a job to the "galleries" area and then clients will be able to order prints right on the website.  I am very excited!
http://www.myperspectivesphotography.com/