Gifts from the Heart

Let me introduce you to the newest members of the MJMP family! This isn't just a much needed upgrade and new lens, this is a gift from the heart. My parents surprised me with these two Friday evening after I got home from work and let me tell you, it's one of the best and most unexpected surprises ever. And I rarely get caught by surprise. My parents have been my biggest supporters throughout everything and anything. They've been cheerleaders since day one. My dad was where I started to learn photography, and I remember going with my mom (and all my siblings) to Target or Costco to drop off baggies of film. I took on photography as my dream and my dad gave me his camera to learn and use. As I've grown my skills and learned new techniques and progressed, I've been feeling the need to upgrade but would have to wait. It's a season where other things take priority and all my saving and scraping would go to those purposes. When your baby is due next month (oh my god), it's time to buy all those baby items still needed. An upgrade would have to wait. Saving and waiting and saving and waiting for a better time. Which is okay. My parents decided to invest in my business and invest in me as they always have. This isn't just a much needed upgrade, it was truly a gift from the heart. A lot of times, they have more faith in me than I do in myself. This is a hard industry where you're always comparing yourself, your skills and everything to others. Even if you really don't want to, sometimes the doubt creeps in. Wondering if you're good enough, if an investment in this small dream of mine is worth it. This gift is saying "yes, it's worth it and you can do it." Cue the pregnancy-hormone-elevated tears of joy.

It's beyond anything I could ask for when they've supported me in everything. It's making their investment in me worth it and going to the next level, learning more and more and creating beautiful artwork. I cannot wait to learn and grow my skills with these fun new tools. Every image will have a little extra love behind it knowing the love that went into getting this camera into my hands. I'm forever thankful for the support group I have behind me; from my husband to my parents to my siblings and friends. And even if this goes nowhere, even if I struggle and trip on this journey, I'm grateful to have my family behind me. And nothing means more than that.

#2017 #personal #myfamily #photography