I'm really fickle. Always have been.
I switched majors in college several times - I had the hardest time narrowing down my passions. At one point, for about 5 minutes, I decided on an International fashion major. When I walked into my first class wearing sweats, no makeup and a freshly-sweaty top knot, I knew I would never fit into that world. I finally settled on Medical Dietetics. I'm so glad I did - Mizzou has the best program and I loved working as a dietitian for six great years!
My parents have owned their own business my whole life. They instilled the drive in me to be my own boss one day. Unfortunately, Jonathan, my smarter half, signed on for 100 years of schooling (he was becoming a doctor) so that meant I had to support us - I had to have a steady job with no room for error. Even in college, I knew I loved photography, but was far too scared to turn it into a career then. It wasn't until 2013 when Jonathan starting making a bit of an income, which allowed a little wiggle room for me to branch out. He bought me my first camera (Nikon 5100) and I practiced on as many people as I could that summer and fall. In January of 2014, I launched my business and quickly realized that I only wanted to focus on one thing. Me, being fickle, I couldn't - so I decided to specialize in both - newborn lifestyle and weddings. :) Scarlett Crews Photography was off and running and I was loving every minute of it.
A lot has happened in these last three years. I've moved two states, gained a daughter/forever-snuggler and found myself questioning my long term goals, yet again. This time, it's a little harder - it's not just about me anymore.
I've spent the time to dig deep and ask myself what it is that makes ME happy. Sure, Jonathan and Everlie make me happier than anything in the World can, but what could I do to light that fire further? Was it still photography? Was it something else? When I back up and look at what makes life worth living, it's the memories we make and the impact we leave. There are too many selfies and not enough photographs of the ones we love doing what they love. Photography is still and will always be my passion, but now that I'm in my thirties, I have no interest in wasting time doing anything other than exactly what I want to do. Fight for our planet, support those who are unfairly treated, find my voice and teach my daughter to be a better person than I am.
The question we all have to ask ourselves is "Am I doing something everyday to make ME happy?". Maybe that's a cup of coffee in the morning while reading the paper or it's pounding the pavement with Kanye West blaring in your ears (I'm the later, did you guess?). Whatever it is, it's our little moment of the day that is just for us.
