On this day, August 9th 2017, I came back from my annual Summer leave, walked into the office where I worked and realised it just didn't fulfil me any more and the time had come to take a deep breath and jump.
Six years on, I'm still here, still running my business doing design, mostly book cover designs, which blends beautifully into the other side of my business photographing wonderful families and sometimes, their pets.
This seemed like a really good time to say a quick hello again and introduce myself to new clients and potential clients that follow my social media.
I'm Jayne. Wife, Mum of two grown up boys and a diabetic cat called Rory. I won't be boring and say that I've always been into photography...oops I think I just did, but it was never in my grand plan to take it beyond capturing the kids as they grew up, or flowers and landscape on our days out.
The 'getting paid' part came about when a friend of mine suggested we offered Mother's Day photos in our village hall. it went well, I got the bug, took a couple of portrait courses and learned to use my camera properly. (Even twelve years part time work at Jessops hadn't taught me anywhere near enough) I was truly hooked. I was already working a couple of days a week designing logos and other bits and pieces so it made sense to be able to use a camera as well. The two things run side by side nicely.
Six years, lots of fabulous clients, some beautiful weddings, dance performance, figure skating comps, lots and LOTS of practise on so many fantastic kids who modelled for me, I achieved my Licentiate Qualification with The Societies of Photographers; something I wanted to do for almost five years (No thanks to Covid 19 for slowing up progress on that count!)
My qualifying portrait panel which got me my 'letters'.
Do I have any regrets about taking the plunge? Absolutely not. I'm so thankful that I'm able to follow a path of my choosing and make a living from it. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next six years can take me. Its not always been easy, but its absolutely been worth it.
Rory, because the boys won't model for me any more.
Me among the bluebells in Ercall Wood. Photo: Martine Julia Photography.