3.08.2008

Passion is where passion is born.


I have came along way from being 8-years old working hard at my first job on the farm in the bean fields. I still can't believe it some days that I am a photographer in a business that is solely mine.

While in Oklahoma a month ago, I had the opportunity to meet my newest niece right after she was born in the hospital before her first bath. And when she was brought home, I had so many fabulous opportunities to take photographs of the sweet pea.

And then when back home, I had the fun opportunity to design her birth announcement. Every single step of the process so fun and rewarding.

I am so blessed to have this job. It just kind of flows in my life. I think that's when you know it's what you were meant to do. Like it's something that has always been there but I didn't know I could actually make money doing. Who would ever imagine you could make money doing the thing you love to do most?! I think this holds true deep in everyones hearts. It's when you discover that your passion can turn into something bigger that you know you are living the life God created you to live.



There can't be many more exciting and more rewarding jobs out there than what I do, but I guess when what you do is your passion, you do think that there can't be anything better out there, right?! What a great feeling to know that what you are doing is what you were born to do.

Thank goodness walking beans wasn't the lifelong plan for me. I definitely would have the best tan out of anyone else, but I'd also be the dirtiest and probably the grumpiest. Farm life was amazing and one of the best experiences I have ever had, but I am so so thankful that I was made to be a photographer. Living and working on the farm taught me so many life long lessons, however. Ones that helped mold me into the person and photographer I am today. I just know I wouldn't have had such strong determination and passion if I hadn't walked beans and if I hadn't seen how passionate my dad was for his job as a farmer . . . one of the hardest jobs on our planet. I thank him for showing me what determination and will looks like.



So tell me . . . how could a job be any better when you get to see this?! It really is hardly a job at all sometimes . . .

I know, she's pretty darn cute, isn't she?? Newborn hair, newborn yawns, newborn skin, newborn smell . . . so precious and such a gift. A true gift from God.



Welp, back to doing the CHORE I like doing most . . . vacuuming.

15 comments:

Michelle said...

I LOVE them!! I am so thankful that you were able and willing to come out here and spend some time with us and capture these precious moments for us! You are so talented, my dear sis!

I tried posting the announcement on my blog today too, but I was having problems with blogger all day today and wasn't able to get any pictures posted! :(

Thank you! Love you!

Heather said...

She is beautiful! I love everything about newborns! Almost makes me want to go ahead and have #3! Almost...

Stacey said...

OH my goodness what a great post! I love love love the photos and I'm going to have to accept the challenge here!

Your brother lives here in KC? You simply have to at least honk your horn next time you drive by, Val! xoxo

PS--32 would be amazing to me right now. AMAZING! Be blessed with that.

Anonymous said...

Val, those pictures are all so beautiful! Not that I'm really surprise, you talented girl, you : )

Alexis Jacobs said...

You have a god-given talent. Beatuiful.

Missy!! said...

Oh my!! Those are so good! I never knew a newborn could be so photogenic!! I love the one of her yawning!! Too cute!

Unknown said...

Missy, of course! She's related to us!! :)

And thank you, everyone. Alexis, it's always amazing to hear that from other people so it reinforces what I *think* is true. You know me, not always 100% confident in myself.

Suz said...

I love your children's names: Noah and Maia, beautiful!

Alexandra said...

Hi Val!
Thank you for leaving a comment on my Blog! Oh, I just love your Photography! I would love to get some nice portraits of my 3 year old but I'm not the biggest Fan of Walmart Portraits! I will be checking your Blog out regular! What a great Idea with the Trivial Pursuit: Val Edition! Love it!

Aimée said...

Val, your talent is truly amazing! I really hope that when I finish school and move back to the Champaign area that you are still in the area capturing pics, because I am going to totally take advantage! Your work is like no other photographers that I have seen. It is just absolutely breathtaking! You go girl!

mama2dibs said...

I am so glad that you love photography. You are so good at it and your passion shows through. Beautiful! Some day I am still seriously going to somehow get you to take my girls pics. I don't know how, but somehow!

Louise said...

You have such a gift girl!!
LOVE the pics!

ohAmanda said...

Val! I love that you do what God made you to do! You are so talented. The pics are beautiful!

An Ordinary Mom said...

These pictures are simply PRICELESS! I wish you would be around when our next little one will be born in July :) !!

Corie said...

The pictures are beautiful! What a precious little girl.
I can't wait for you to take pictures of our baby!!!