A "Blazing" comeback that almost didn't happen.

Being featured in the Professional Photographers of America's magazine is something so many photographers dream of. I am honored to say I am one of those photographers. We took the category win back in January 2025 and it was a thrill and shock to watch it all happen on live TV. But can you believe this win almost never happened!! For once, I am so proud of myself for not stopping when I got in my head, which I do a lot. I almost didn't compete because I wanted to quit photography last year because I was tired from working so much and I thought having this "amazing job" position I had received at the time where I was working was going to be it. I was sitting at a desk even more, working with clients and projects that were just mentally exhausting. Don't get me wrong, I was good at that job, I helped a lot of people out, and I really enjoyed working with everyone in the office. I thought that this was where I was supposed to be. The more and more I sat there, being a robot at a desk, tired, drained, and becoming very unhealthy mentally and physically, I slowly started to regret accepting that position. The reason I took that job title was to help out my boss at the time and my co-workers. I felt like I couldn't let them down especially in the position we were in. In 2024, I took on maybe 3 photo sessions total because it was all I could really do, and by chance, this wonderful person named Hilary reached out to me wanting a photo session in April with her Toller named Blazed. It was my first session of 2024 and I was nervous. Yes, even I get nervous but I'm good at masking it haha. I wanted everything to be as easy going and perfect as much as possible. So, I assembled a team of assistants that day to help and work with Blaze in the water. As soon as I met Blaze and Hilary all my nerves just went away. Hilary was kind and her dog Blaze was so well trained! We took a few photos on land that were cute and I really got to see how great this dog was. The time finally arrived to hit the water which is always my favorite part and usually the dogs. Blaze flew into that water versus calmly walking in. The excitement and joy I had felt in the pass when photographing dogs came back. I was watching the sun set behind the tree line and just knew that if Blaze kept flying through the water like he had been, something magical was going to be made. My assistant at the time was holding Blaze, I went back, hyped Blazed up and off he went! Blaze hit the calculated mark I had set up in my brain and his eyes locked on to my lens. Shutter went off only 2 times. Yep, I only took 2 photos this run and after that I knew and I'm pretty sure I was saying "Holy 💩 I got it. Yep! I got it! WOOO!!!". We ended the front running segments and continued the photo session, everything went perfect, beautiful photos were made and Blaze was one happy Toller. Highlight moment was this dog actually "tolled" ducks over to us which I learned and we all witnessed for the first time that evening. It was really cool! The session ended, I packed up and drove home so happy with my husband in the car. He would tell you I didn't shut up because I was just so happy and excited about this entire photo session until we got home. He's lucky its only a like a 10 minute drive back haha. But even he saw this major change in my demeanor, I was my happy self again. We get home and usually I'll stop and review photos in the morning but I was excited to see everything in Lightroom. Over all the photos were beautiful, but that one photo was stunning! My rating for this photo was flagged, 5 stared, and colored so I wouldn't miss it. Months went by, I didn't really do many other sessions until fall because I was back at that draining job, no time to do what I loved, same routine I didn't like. I decided to enter this photo in another competition and it placed top 10. Cool. I've competed in this competition for years and I'm always in the top ten or top 3. I really wanted to find a high end competition that not one judge knew who I was. My name was out there from previous competitions and high placements/wins, and the backlash from others which I don't talk about but ya know what, it happens and it happened to me often where people would say "you only placed that high because the judges know you". I've dealt with these types or people before because I was a very talented and athletic martial artist and when your good, the bad will come after you to bring you down. My mom taught me very well at a young age to just ignore those type of people, say thank you or nothing at all which sometimes I did......I am that person to stick up for myself and others who I know so sometimes it's hard to stay quiet hahaha. Anyways! I finally came across this very prestigious photography competition that the largest photography organization in the USA was holding. I entered this photo last minute. No one knew me. Not one judge. Months went by, I did two more photo sessions that were awesome! Great dogs, great people, but I was still doing the same routine and I was almost ready to accept that this was my fate. Ready to give up on photography to sit at a desk until retirement being stressed, unhappy, and unhealthy. I received an email that the top 4 photos were selected to go head to head in the category I entered. I checked my phone and was shocked to see I was in the top 4, Top 4! I was happy just to see and accept that. There were so many beautiful photo entries and one in particular I really liked because it was done so well. It was cocker spaniel in a golden field of grass. I honestly thought that was the winner because to me it was very well executed and the colors were beautiful, the dog was posed perfectly, I loved it. The announcement that the top 4 photos were going to be judge on TV live at the Imaging USA conference at the beginning of January 2025 was set. I sent the live link to friends and family who were able to watch. My husband and I were watching live from home as each category went by. The time finally came to watch the Pets and Domestic Animals category which was what I entered in. The top 4 images were ready, the beautiful photo of the cocker spaniel was up first against a studio photo and the studio photo move forward. Our turn was up, we were up against a cat looking into a fish tank photo that was more digital art versus a photograph. It was unique and artistically digitally painted very well and it caught your attention. I remember watching, sitting on the couch with my hand over my mouth in a crunched fist because this digital art photo had beaten some very well done images. The judges placed their votes and we advanced! I was so happy! and my husband, half asleep was now wide awake. The final round was next. I was standing in front of the TV, hands clenched together and I kept saying " Ah there's no way I'll win this studio photo is really nice" and I meant it. I really like how this studio photo looked, at how sweet this border collie looking dog was posed in the chair and the dogs eyes were expressive. It was taken very well. The wait for the judges to place their votes felt like hours but it was only like 1 minute. There were only 5 judges and I watch 1 dot go to the studio photo, then another dot go to the studio photo. There were just three judges remaining to cast their votes and like a flash, all three judges votes went to my photo. "OMG OMG! WE WON WE WON WE WON!!!! AHHHHH!!!!" I started crying, hugged my husband, who has always been my biggest supporter, and I could not believe what happened on live TV. I messaged Blazes owner as she was watching and was beyond trilled. Other photographers were reaching out, saying congratulations, being so supportive, it was such a surreal moment. The judges left their comments on why they chose the this image and it was great to hear. One judges comment was "this is what a tennis ball sees before it dies" which is funny because it was true haha! I was on cloud 9 and honestly ready for bed at that point but we had to go for the grand imaging award. I knew I was going to get knocked out quick because I had already chosen the over all winner when watching the other category's and I was right on the money. The grand imaging round went quick and we were eliminated which I didn't mind at all. The image I really liked won over all and after that I went to bed but not to sleep. I kept thinking about how this almost didn't happen, that I wasn't going to enter at all because I was so set on being a project director at my job and that was the smart thing to do. But I kept saying to myself what am I doing. WHAT AM I DOING?! I remember speaking to my husband the following day saying the same thing, "what am I doing?!" I hated this job and it was clear as day I was not myself and not happy. In his deep, mumbled voice far and few can understand sometimes, said "you need to make a decision that is going to determine the direction of your life. I fully support you because I know what you should and need to be doing, and its not sitting at a desk, being stressed out and coming home tire and unhappy. You are that photographer, you have something so many wish they could have even a tiny bit of. You are talented, you are a leader, and you will be successful if you just take that chance in yourself". He played some inspirational raps songs from lil Wayne and a few others and I really listened to my husbands words and those songs. The next day, I went into the office, said I'd like to have a meeting and told them I couldn't do this anymore, I couldn't keep up with both photography and a full time job that was demanding. My eyes started to water up because I felt horrible about my decision because I didn't want to hurt them but I needed to take this chance and if I didn't I would regret it for the rest of my life and I didn't want to be that angry person. They took the news as best as they did and I trained staff for a few months and left the office for good at the end of May. It was the hardest yet best decision I ever made for myself and since then my health and happiness have been doing so much better. I quit my job, it was so scary to do, but I took that chance. I still can't believe I wanted to give up thinking I was supposed to be something I was not. If it wasn't for Blaze, his owner, the love and support I received, and finally understanding/realizing I am a photographer and a really good one, I wouldn't have made this life changing decision. If you are another photographer reading this; It's going to be hard, you're going to have great times but also bad ones so learn from both. Remain humble no matter how many wins or achievements you receive. Strive to be your best self and don't compare your work to others. Everyone has a different eye, a different style and that's what makes you unique. Whether you're a hobby photographer or just starting out in the business side, keep at it! Believe in yourself, find those that support you and your dreams. Play those inspirational raps songs lol! Or really any song that just boost you up. Trust in yourself, dream big, and NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

LINK TO ARTICLE

https://www.ppa.com/ppmag/articles/the-greatest