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We’re at the end of a series for photographers and aspiring entrepreneurs called “Making the Leap” where we’re sharing our ten practical steps for going from part-time photographers to full-time. Or, as author Jon Acuff puts it, going from your day job to your dream job without it becoming a nightmare.
When we were little, our parents used to tuck us into bed at night. We’d brush our teeth (when we were old enough to have them), wiggle one arm and leg at a time into our pajamas (Ninja Turtles and Little Mermaid, respectively), and before story time, they’d pray with us. Jordan’s dad would kneel at the side of his twin bed, close his eyes softly, naturally, and rest his elbows comfortably on the dinosaur sheets. Jordan, still small and newer at it, knelt beside him and prayed like every child does: head jutted up and forward, awkwardly, eyes squeezed tight like a clenched fist, and arms extended all the way to heaven just to reach the top of the bed. Amy’s parents prayed with her, too, except that instead of getting on their knees, they’d snuggle up in the sheets, cuddle together in bed, and talk to God. Amy’s never been one for leaving the comforts of a warm bed if she doesn’t have to.
They taught us to believe
We prayed all the time.
And God showed up. In the most clear and convincing ways, He showed up. The way He always does. In people. In the friends and family who encouraged us. In the mentors who advised us. In the clients who trusted us. In everyone who hugged us, held us, and with the sincerest eyes looked at us and said, “We believe in you.” To those people, our army of angels, you know who you are, and thank you.
For us, going full-time wasn’t, as our pastor says, a leap in the dark. It’s been a walk in the light. A commitment. A resolution. A sacred trust. That building a life dedicated to loving and serving others couldn’t not succeeded if we did business differently, and instead of measuring our success in currency, we measured it in changed lives.
No matter where you were yesterday, where are you are today, or where you’ll be tomorrow, you can’t do it alone. None of us can. Maybe it’s time to set down the camera and remember what it was like to sleep in dinosaur sheets or wear Little Mermaid pajamas. To be a child. To have faith. To believe. If it’s been a long time, maybe now’s the right time. Maybe it’s time to get down on your knees.
Maybe it’s time to pray.
We’re so proud of our shooting and editing course students all across the world! They’re shooting better, editing faster and serving their clients better than ever before!
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03/26/2014
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March 26th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
You guys are so awesome!! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
You guys are so awesome!! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
You’re so sweet! Thanks, Darcy!
March 26th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
You’re so sweet! Thanks, Darcy!
March 26th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
seriously love you guys. keep doing what you are doing, it is appreciated and recognized and you are bringing God so much glory. Thanks for being a constant inspiration.
March 26th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
seriously love you guys. keep doing what you are doing, it is appreciated and recognized and you are bringing God so much glory. Thanks for being a constant inspiration.
March 26th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Ah! Thanks, Cinnamon! That’s SO encouraging and WE appreciate it more than you know!
March 26th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I needed to read this! I’m working so hard (too hard) and this surely reminded me to put the camera down & get to praying. So thankful for you! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I needed to read this! I’m working so hard (too hard) and this surely reminded me to put the camera down & get to praying. So thankful for you! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
So thankful for this sweet message! Keep working hard and praying, too! It’s God’s recipe for success. You can’t win without both.
March 26th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Such a sweet and important reminder. Thanks for being so honest, you guys rock!
March 26th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Such a sweet and important reminder. Thanks for being so honest, you guys rock!
March 26th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
YOU rock! Thanks, Kelly! This blog is represents our heart on our sleeve, and we’re just so thankful to be able to connect with people everywhere on the same life journey.
March 26th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Ah! Thanks, Cinnamon! That’s SO encouraging and WE appreciate it more than you know!
March 26th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
So thankful for this sweet message! Keep working hard and praying, too! It’s God’s recipe for success. You can’t win without both.
March 26th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
YOU rock! Thanks, Kelly! This blog is represents our heart on our sleeve, and we’re just so thankful to be able to connect with people everywhere on the same life journey.
March 26th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for sharing your faith so fearlessly! You guys are such an inspiration and this post was a great reminder about how our faith must be the foundation of our businesses. This was the perfect way to end this series! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for sharing your faith so fearlessly! You guys are such an inspiration and this post was a great reminder about how our faith must be the foundation of our businesses. This was the perfect way to end this series! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
SO appreciated, Stacey! You are such a GREAT encourager 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
SO appreciated, Stacey! You are such a GREAT encourager 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Amen!! Perfect way to end this series….our constant need for HIM!! You guys are awesome 🙂 🙂 ♥
March 26th, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Amen!! Perfect way to end this series….our constant need for HIM!! You guys are awesome 🙂 🙂 ♥
March 26th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Thanks, Lisa! YOU are awesome!
March 26th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Thanks, Lisa! YOU are awesome!
March 26th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
First time on your blog, and the perfect post for me today! Excited to look through you other posts in the series! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
First time on your blog, and the perfect post for me today! Excited to look through you other posts in the series! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Welcome, Vanessa! We hope it’s a great place of daily inspiration and connection for you! Thanks for stopping by!
March 26th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Welcome, Vanessa! We hope it’s a great place of daily inspiration and connection for you! Thanks for stopping by!
March 26th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Such an uplifting post! I definitely needed it today…you guys are awesome! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Such an uplifting post! I definitely needed it today…you guys are awesome! 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Aw! Thanks, Rachel! So glad it helped!
March 26th, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Aw! Thanks, Rachel! So glad it helped!
March 26th, 2014 at 8:36 pm
LOVE. THIS. 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 8:36 pm
LOVE. THIS. 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 9:28 pm
LOVE. YOU. See you next week 🙂
March 26th, 2014 at 9:28 pm
LOVE. YOU. See you next week 🙂
March 27th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Hi Amy! We met today at Mane Attraction. This is absolutely beautiful! You can really see your wonderful heart and love for God and His people. I cannot wait to read more of your blog.
March 27th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Hi Amy! We met today at Mane Attraction. This is absolutely beautiful! You can really see your wonderful heart and love for God and His people. I cannot wait to read more of your blog.
March 27th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Aw! Sarah! It was SO great meeting you today! I LOVED talking with you! You’re so sweet 🙂
March 27th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Aw! Sarah! It was SO great meeting you today! I LOVED talking with you! You’re so sweet 🙂
March 31st, 2014 at 10:02 am
Absolutely love your work, Amy and Jordan! You are my new inspiration! Thank you for all your great advice in this series! I hope to join you and make the leap some day 🙂 Would love to be able to learn more from you – shooting, posing editing, etc. Any workshops planned in the future or mentoring opportunities available? I’ve always wanted to visit AZ 😉
March 31st, 2014 at 10:02 am
Absolutely love your work, Amy and Jordan! You are my new inspiration! Thank you for all your great advice in this series! I hope to join you and make the leap some day 🙂 Would love to be able to learn more from you – shooting, posing editing, etc. Any workshops planned in the future? Or other mentoring opportunities available? I’ve always wanted to visit AZ 😉
March 31st, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Aw! You made our day, Michelle! Where are you from? We don’t have anything planned yet, but it’s in our future plans for sure! We have a weekly newsletter that has tips and tricks that we don’t post on our blog, so definitely check that out, because that’s where we’ll make any future announcements about workshops! So glad to have connected with you online! Let’s stay in touch and let us know how we can serve you 🙂
April 1st, 2014 at 8:25 am
I’m up in Massachusetts. I get the newsletter so I’ll keep my eye out! Thanks!
March 31st, 2014 at 8:02 pm
Aw! You made our day, Michelle! Where are you from? We don’t have anything planned yet, but it’s in our future plans for sure! We have a weekly newsletter that has tips and tricks that we don’t post on our blog, so definitely check that out, because that’s where we’ll make any future announcements about workshops! So glad to have connected with you online! Let’s stay in touch and let us know how we can serve you 🙂
April 1st, 2014 at 8:25 am
I’m up in Massachusetts. I get the newsletter so I’ll keep my eye out! Thanks!
January 24th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Hey guys. What a great training. Went through your entire ten steps training this morning. Even though we have been full time photographers for 3 years now, we are currently rebranding, and this is exactly what I needed to hear before we get together with our new Web designer this week. Thanks. The entire training was great and falls in line with a lot of other training we have done in the past. I. Dave Ramsey etc. Thanks so much!
Richelle
January 26th, 2015 at 8:47 am
Hi Richelle! You bet! And thanks so much for sharing that with us! We’re so happy that the series was a blessing to you 🙂 Congrats on being full-time for 3 years! HUGS accomplishment! Can’t wait to see your rebrand when it’s done. You’ll have to share it with us 🙂
January 26th, 2015 at 10:09 am
For sure. will do 🙂
October 28th, 2015 at 9:45 am
Two Thumbs up!
October 29th, 2015 at 10:17 am
Thanks, friend! That’s been the ONLY constant in our business and life.
December 11th, 2015 at 9:42 am
I just read your 10 steps. And from start to finish it was as if you wrote it all just for me. I just completed a Christian debt free course and it is like I came across your blog at just the right time. God new I had to read it and you confirmed what God has lied on my heart already. God bless you and your business of changing lives. You and God just inspired me to follow my dream of being a photographer. ❤️
December 14th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
We’re so honored by that, Yolande! Thank you for telling us and keep working hard! We’re proud of you 🙂
January 6th, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Going into my biggest, scariest wedding so far this weekend and reading this has broken me. Thank you for your wisdom, truth and Joy throughout all of your posts. x
January 11th, 2016 at 11:20 am
Ah! We’re cheering for you!! You got this!!
September 19th, 2016 at 9:02 am
I believe that God had leaded me to you wonderful couple. I just you to know that you guys are amazing and I LOVE reading your blog. Thank you SO so much. You have blessed me so much! Every time I am out for a session Amy’s voice always whispers inn my ear “look for even light from head to toe”
September 26th, 2016 at 6:58 am
I know I’m a few years behind in writing this comment, but thank you for this post! I’m a senior in college (for secondary and elementary education- go figure!), but my heart has been in photography for the past two years and especially the past few months. Between giving my all to school and attempting to establish a reputable business, there are days when I just want to quit it all. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not the one in charge, and where to cast my cares. The two of you have been so influential, thank you for sharing your story and faith with those of us who need it!
October 17th, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Ahhh! Love you guys so much! (In a good way! 😉 ) Seriously so glad that I stumbled upon you guys! It is so neat to receive not only photography help, but encouragement to be who God created me to be! Many blessings!
January 27th, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for this! It’s always great to see people standing for their faith. And it is always nice to see believing photographers who walks by faith.
Be blessed.
March 7th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Aw!! Thanks so much, Tianaina! 🙂
June 10th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I have stumbled apon your blog on pinterest and it’s already 3 hours later and I’m still here (so much for time management ;-). I have just finished reading your 10 steps series to going full-time and the timing could not have been more perfect (I’m currently in corporate but started chasing this dream a few months ago). Your faith, views, work and passion for people and what you do have truly inspired me. Thank you for sharing your stories, tips and advice, it is a much bigger blessing that you would’ve ever imagined????
June 12th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Aw!! Thank you so much for sharing that with us! That means everything to us! We’re so happy to hear that this post is encouraging to you! Wishing you all the best, Marni!! Hugs! 🙂
August 10th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
I just want to encourage you to keep sharing your story with others. Even though I’m not looking for a career or trying to support my family, what you have shared is an encouragement to me to remember to focus on loving and serving others. I’m so glad you have chosen to share what God has done in your lives. It doesn’t get any better than that. 🙂
August 11th, 2017 at 9:04 am
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Kelly! We’re so glad this was an encouragement to you! 🙂
December 6th, 2017 at 10:25 am
You guys are incredible! I love your Godly approach to everything. I’m just starting out after leaving a horrible job. (They literally stole from people and cheated them. It was a hard leap from a steady income to ZERO, but I had to leave. )
It’s been so challenging starting out during the slow season (Wisconsin winters are brutal!), and so frustrating with only a handful of clients. (I thank God every day for my supportive husband!) It’s so encouraging reading your blog and attending your webinars. I am constantly reminded that I need to keep my focus on God, because he’s the only one who can make this business succeed!
Thank you so much for all you do. You guys are priceless!
December 7th, 2017 at 11:17 am
Aw! Thank you so much for your sweet words, Christy! We feel SO blessed to be part of your photography journey! We’re cheering for you! Hugs!!