I am sitting here at my desk, late friday night because I can’t sleep. My mind is just racing with ideas or things I need to get done [as it usually is] and because I, like most often, enjoy my late evenings. They are quiet. Peaceful. Just ‘me’ time.
Almost everyday in my life one of the many thoughts that always runs through my head at least once is how greatful I am to be at this point in my business. At risk of sounding like I am tooting my own horn, I am so proud of all the hard work and hours upon hours I have put into practicing and perfecting my craft. Not that anything is ever “perfect”. I do not believe in that word.
When dreams become reality….
High school photography class. That’s where I was for grades 11 and 12. Was I the best at it? No. But I did always achieve A’s and B’s. I loved it. When I was in middle school I couldn’t wait to get to high school so that I could take photography classes. I was SO excited. Actually there were two things I couldn’t wait for: photography classes AND to not have to take PE any longer. I hated PE. With a passion. I am just not any good at sports! Anyway, at that point in my life the thought never occured to me to be in the photography industry when I “grew up”. Actually, that’s a lie. I just remembered something. It’s actually pretty funny now, thinking back. I did have this longing to be a photographer at the Barkerville photo studio, where they created old-fashioned, period portraits. Costumes provided and all. Random? I know, haha. But I also had an obsession with days gone by. The 19th and early 20th century being my favorites. I found that way of life during those years so fascinating…don’t ask me why!
I then spent the rest of my teenage years and early 20’s trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself. I was basically trying to find out who I was, and what made me happy, career wise. I tried many different genres in university: socialwork, insurance, criminology, psychology (still have an interest in that), and, believe it or not, I even took a flagging course! (lol) <–that one was so not me.
I have one specific memory that really stands out to me. On one cloudy, miserable day my husband and I went for Sushi. I was about 21-22 years old, and was taking couses at university (still not feeling 100% about what I was taking). I could ramble on about the california rolls we shared, but that is not the memory that makes me smile (in this case!). No, I will never forget when we walked up to the cash register to pay our bill. Sitting there, next to the menus and candies, was a small set of business cards. A wedding photographer. I knew that they had belonged to one of the waitresses that worked there, and I knew that she was close to my age. I found her so inspiring. That was the first moment I even thought of the possibility. Actually, I remember what I had said to my husband as we drove away in the car: “This is what I would LOVE to do for a career.” I stared down at one of the cards, “I wish I could do this”.
So, 3-4 years later, I am so proud with how far I’ve come. I am now so blessed to be part such a special event in the lives of people. Thinking back to that day just makes me smile. It is so unreal, and satisfying to see how far your dreams can go. Anything is possible, when you set your mind to it. When dreams become reality and you find your true self…life is wonderful.
by Jennifer Rodriguez-Cruz
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