Don't be afraid to dream

When I was just a kid at school, I was in love with art, graphics class and generally anything creative. I remember how much I looked forward to that one hour of art class at high school each day. I remember picking up graphics and loving learning new design processes. So it came as some surprise to most, including myself, when I took an accounting internship at the end of sixth form. Somewhere along the way, as a troubled and naive teenager, I decided that a successful career meant one that made good money. 

Now don't get me wrong; I enjoy my job - it's rewarding and challenging. But I'm going to be honest, it was never what I dreamed of doing. I picked a job with a promising future and I put my head down working away at my studies, grateful for a secure income - because the younger version of me thought that this was the important thing to do. 

But all that time the creative urge in me smouldered away. Just one look inside my spare room cupboard will show you all the half-started, half-finished hobbies I took up. Card-making, painting, sketching, sewing, jewellery design, the list goes on.

Four years ago I started taking portraits & I never imagined that I would feel so strongly about my photography as I do now. In fact in those first couple of years Matt was sure my camera would end up finding it's way onto a shelf in that spare room cupboard. 

Instead a love affair began. 

Today, to be able to call myself a photographer is something I see as a privilege. To be able to spend more time doing what I love is a privilege. I'm not saying we should all go out and quit our jobs to chase a dream. Just don't be afraid to dream. Life is too short not to have fun.

So here's a quote from Steve Jobs that I'd like you to think about:

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me.