Blessed

When I think back to where I was just a few years ago, fresh out of school, I find myself standing there with a blank stare into my future. I had no idea where I would end up or what I would be doing.  I remember feeling excited and nervous at the same time.  As with many of us when we first graduate from college, I had no job, no real prospects, and a lot of people wanting to know my plan.  If there was one thing I did know, it was that I had to find a job that would allow me to be creative.  I’d had a “desk job”  in the past, and it made me want to pull my hair out…all day…everyday.  I’ve always needed to have my hands in something, whether I’m elbow deep in oil paint, teaching myself how to screen print in my parents’ basement, or attempting to teach myself how to play the guitar (which has been a very slow and on-going process since high school, actually).  By my freshman year of college I was dreaming of owning my own photography business one day, and that plan never really changed over those next three years.  The problem was figuring out how to make it happen. How does a college graduate, still green and somewhat naive to the workings of the American business world, go from zero clients, a rather sad portfolio, and less than ideal equipment to running a successful business complete with marketing, branding, and a comfortable yearly salary? In my case, it came after a handful of random jobs and an attempt at traveling to Italy for a two-year mission program, with a few photo shoots on the side for friends and family.  After the Italy plan fell through, I finally started to focus hard on building my company. I made a website, set up a blog, printed some business cards, and started networking.  That was just over a year ago.  Wow.  These days I regularly find myself scratching my head in both confusion and amazement that Kim Hunter Studio has grown so quickly over such a short amount of time.

I am thankful, first and foremost, for God, the giver of all great gifts and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I cannot dare take credit for any of my successes in life without attributing them to God and His care and love for me.  I am also tremendously grateful for so many of my friends and family who have offered unending support and love through all of the ups and downs that inevitably accompany running your own business. Your encouragement means more to me than you could ever know.  Last, and most definitely not least, I am thankful for all of you who have given me the opportunity to photograph you.  It is such a privilege to photograph a wedding; watching a new life of love and companionship unfold from behind the lens of my camera. Or to photograph a family, capturing the love and closeness that you share with each other.

The words “thank you” seem so meager and insufficient.  My cup overflows.

I wish you all, with all sincerity, a very Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for?