Corporate Drop Out

A year ago today I started my first day of photography school and as I look back on the past year, I am amazed by how much my life has changed. Most of you that know me personally would have never dreamed that I would quit the job at Showtime that I had worked so hard to get. I was always so driven to be successful, get a badass job and conquer the world. I sped my way through college and moved to Atlanta without looking back. Life was great for a while, but ultimately I wasn’t happy.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved working in the entertainment industry, traveling all over the country, and I truly couldn’t have asked for better co-workers, but I hated working for a corporation. I hated all the red tape and restrictions and inflexibility.  I hated the inefficiencies and the waste that occurred all around me. I hated my 90+ minute commute to the office and the fact that, unless I was traveling, I had to spend 40 hours sitting at the same desk. And, above all, I hated the fact that, no matter how hard I worked or what I accomplished, I was only allowed ten vacation days a year. Having to choose between spending time with my family and Sev’s, friend’s weddings, holidays and taking time off for my own personal sanity was a constant stressor.  These days, while I’m not making nearly as much money (at least not right now), I can choose my own schedule and take on the clients and projects I choose. I spend my time being creative and interacting with new people each day while they are enjoying some of the happiest times in their lives. I can take a day off to go up to the mountains if the mood strikes me. Or sleep all day and stay up til 3 editing. All on my own terms.

Yesterday ended a ten day vacation I enjoyed with my family, first in Nebraska, followed by a long weekend in Denver with my brothers. A vacation that would have cost me all of my vacation days in my previous life. That’s not how I wanted to live and I’m so glad I realized it before it was too late. Being self-employed is a challenge, but one that I love whole heartedly and I wouldn’t trade my life now for anything. 

Parent's hammock, easily one of my favorite things about home