Hi OSP!

I've been a member here for quite a while and only sporadically posted, but just today realized that I never introduced myself.

My name is Leah Godfredson. I live in Schertx, TX which is right outside of San Antonio, and operate a photography business from my home. I have 4 kids, and even though I'm super busy with them, I live and breathe photography 24/7. It is a total obsession, and I couldn't tear myself away from it if I wanted to.

I'm doing my best to avoid debt while building up my equipment, and so I have put myself on a four-year plan. This is the middle of year two. At the very beginning, I did photo shoots of my friends kids with a point and shoot camera. I stuck all of the money into savings until I could get my first DSLR (a Nikon D50), a flash and Photoshop, then I kept saving until I was able to buy a D200.

At the end of four years, I will hopefully have 100% of what I need to do weddings full time, and I will have my prices at the point where I can be profitable. It is incredibly hard to build a business this way, and I get frustrated all the time because I want more stuff NOW!

I know there are many who charge the equipment and it works for them, but I won't have the time to devote to being full-time until my youngest is in school, so the slow route is the one for me. I feel like the turtle as I watch all the hares pass me by with cool equipment and computer programs and awesome websites.
I want, I want I want!!!!!

But ah, I'll get there. And it's comforting to know exactly when- Sept. of 2010. Well, sh!t, now that it's in print it isn't so comforting.

I have really enjoyed everyone here. Thanks for the awesome community!

Hi Leah! I'm also in San Antonio - at Ft. Sam Houston to be exact. It seems there are a number of us in San Antonio....

I have to give you a little pat on the back for your 4-year plan. I think it is awesome that you are doing everything cash, and only when you can afford it. That us what I have done as well. Too many people get caught in debt. And too many business owners, or wanna-bes, end up in deep sh*t because of it.

But yes, I understand the "I want, I want, I want!!" syndrome. I keep getting tempted to buy other "essentials" that I don't have yet (and that really aren't essential in the long run anyway), but have to keep reigning myself in. Someday......

Hi Leah and welcome!

Your post reminded me that 1. I haven't introduced myself either (I guess I should look into that) and 2. I am going about this thing the same way you are...slow and with cash!

It sometimes feels like FOREVER!! But we are 4 weeks away from having our first kid, so I know as soon as that happens I'll be glad we are waiting and doing things slow.

Just wanted to say welcome, I have really enjoyed the people I have met here and the things I have read. Great community!

My brother in law lives down in San Antonio so maybe someday we'll make it down to TX and we'll have to go shoot.

Take care!

Julie

Hi Leah, welcome to OSP! Sounds like you are going about it the right way, not biting off more than you can handle!

Nice to meet you. Best of luck with your plans. Hope the bluebonnets are good in your neck of the woods? I haven't seen any fantastic displays around Austin, although I really haven't gone looking either.

Hey there~
Welcome, from one mama and Texan to another!


~
Angela

Thanks guys for the warm welcome. I've been hoping to get together with some others in the SA area, maybe we can make it happen?

Edward, the bluebonnets have been few and far between this year. I had to scratch a photo shoot last week because they had their hearts set on it and weren't interested in anything else. I think maybe there are fields to the northwest, but I'm not driving much with the price of fuel.

Julie and Melanie, let me know if you would like to get together sometime. I'm always up for it!

Welcome to OSP, Leah.

I also applaud your well-devised plan ... really commendable!

I'm actually pretty haphazard and wreckless. I went into photography full throttle and with no reasonable isea what I was doing or how I was going to get there. I like your way better.

Best wishes to you!!