It dawned upon me that it has been two years.
Two years since I said goodbye to the corporate rat race, two years since I leaped into the unchartered (by me anyway) waters of life as a freelancer. Personal sacrifices were made, lifestyle changes happened. Gone were the days where I had the security of a steady pay to cover my expenses, medical coverage to rely on and in rolled the days where I would be editing till the wee hours of the morning, shooting 10 hours straight with heavy gears, feeling absolutely sore after a full day shoot.
And you know what? I have no regrets AT ALL. Sure, like those who run their own businesses, I do have my down days. When those days happens, I mentally slap myself and remind myself that I have what I deem as one of THE best jobs in the world. Seriously.
When I reached my first year of being a full time photographer, I sent out an email to my clients. This time round, I decided to write this blog post for I not only want to thank my clients but basically everyone!
To my family who despite being far away, are supportive (and I hope proud :D) of what I do. To my close friends who have become my family away from home. To those who check out my blog and leave your kind words (or constructive criticism!), thank you for making my virtual world less lonely ;) To my clients who have given me the opportunity of being part of their big day and the honour of capturing their most intimate moments, you don’t know just how happy I am to be part of it all.
I know this sounds totally cliche (but since its my blog, I’m allowed to be ;p) but seriously, it is thanks to everyone’s endless support and God’s grace that I am blessed to be doing what I am doing now. I’ve had the opportunity to meet (and shoot!) so many wonderful people in the past two years and sometimes it seems like I’ve got THE best clients in the world.
I’m way far from being the best photographer in the industry (work in progress!), but one thing’s for sure. I love what I do with a passion. You know how it is when you feel like you’re about to burst with joy and you wanna hug someone and share the happiness? Well, sometimes when there’s no one around, I actually say ‘Thank you’ out loud. And I would be smiling to myself when I say that. Call me crazy but that’s how you make me feel and I feel so lucky at times that I’m afraid that all this is just a dream.
I used to think that only fools would believe that dreams come true. I’m glad I was that fool, for this, what I’m doing now, is a dream come true for me.
Thank you for sharing the journey with me. Here’s to many more awesome years ahead!
With Mucho Love & Appreciation,
The Cheesy / Corny / Crazy Photographer
You MADE it! More years to come. Keep up the good work sifu =)
(August 27th, 2009, 4:06 am)Congrats for the two wonderful years. I’m happy that you made that change. I’m still keeping that dream of getting your fabulous service to take our family photo..one day..one day..it will happen..(I just hope if that happens only 10 years from now, you won’t increase the charge by 10 fold..sudah glamourkan masa tu!)
(August 27th, 2009, 7:18 am)Congrats!! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing all these wonderful shots. Love it!
(August 27th, 2009, 8:31 am)congrats & all the best for many years to come :) i share the same dream with hliza.one day i want you to capture my cheesy/corny/crazy moments with my darling hubby :) seeing all ur wonderful shots,it never fail to make my heart smiles *wink
(August 27th, 2009, 8:56 am)congrats anna! u have truly been my inspiration…
(August 27th, 2009, 8:58 am)keep the shutter busy :)
hey anna. Congrats again on the 2-year milestone :) have always loved your portraits and wedding pix, but been too lazy to drop a line here… hahaahha… i love the way you capture ‘moments’ instead of just ‘occasions’… and hope i’ll be lucky enough to have you taking pix of me in the future… :)
(August 27th, 2009, 10:12 am)we are very proud of you Anna!
(August 27th, 2009, 10:20 am)Love it!!
(August 27th, 2009, 10:39 am)Well done Anna and keep up the excellent work!!
(August 27th, 2009, 4:11 pm)ever since i stumble upon your photoblog few months back, been a frequent visitor since! just to see those wonderful photos (i know it’s not mine ;P). ehehe~ your photos are so inspiring and sorta inspired me to finally try out photography just for fun and loving it to bits! ;D keep it up anna and hope to see you around for a very loooong time. my wedding is undecided and a looong many years to go but i’ve decided on my wedding photographer! ahaha~ ;) lots of love.
(August 27th, 2009, 4:52 pm)haha..guess i’m a little bit advanced though!
(August 27th, 2009, 5:34 pm)Neway kudos on your excellent work…not only you inspired a lot of people but most important you brought photography into a whole new level n give life in each photos. Cheers to many more years to come…*hugs*
Well done babe and keep it up. You’re my inspiration. No really. You are. :)
(August 27th, 2009, 6:39 pm)Congratulations Anna. You’ve come a long way and indeed I’m inspired by you. Wonder if I’d ever have the courage to go fulltime one of these days haha…Keep up the good work :)
(August 27th, 2009, 7:53 pm)u make it! so be proud yay! =D
(August 27th, 2009, 10:15 pm)i wish to be like you someday!
awesome work anna, love the passion you show in your work. Keep it up, wishing you all the best in all future endeavors.
(August 28th, 2009, 2:18 am)Congratulations Anna, awesome work,your passion really shows in your work. Wishing you all the best in future endeavors.
(August 28th, 2009, 2:19 am)I can see you’re wearing the same baju for 3 different weddings. time to get a new wardrobe yo!! hehehehe…
(August 28th, 2009, 10:30 am)By the way, did I mention that I am super proud of you? I am super proud of you :D
(August 28th, 2009, 10:32 am)Well done! I can see all the hard work, dedication and passion reflected through your pictures. I’m glad to have seen you at work and admire your professionalism. Keep it up Anna. =D
(August 28th, 2009, 11:39 am)you know what Anna, I check out your blog everyday before i start my day as an assistant photographer cum graphic designer. It makes my day when i see nice pictures taken by you, accompanied by funny, and sometimes touchy text.. Well, what more can I say, I am proud of you. Keep shooting to make me inspired!
(August 28th, 2009, 11:47 am)You’ve come a long way girl..i still remember when you started out with no knowledge at all…look where u are now…one of the best! Pass some aura to me..:)
(August 28th, 2009, 5:23 pm)It’s time for you to pat your back and say, “GREAT JOB, ANNA!” XD
(August 29th, 2009, 1:56 am)Many more adventorous years ahead! :) God Bless.
Same outfit, diff place & occasions, and made it up to “Anna’s Wall of Fame”, means – that dress is a lucky charm and produce good shoots! :)
(August 29th, 2009, 1:58 am)congrats anna, i’ve been a silent visitor of ur blog for a while… but looking at this post i have a sudden question – what’s ur trick for getting such precise self shots using an SLR? i dont know how to balance the heavy cam the other way round on one hand while maneuvering the finger to press the shutter. do u press the shutter with the thumb? :-)
(August 29th, 2009, 5:52 pm)Awesome! I check your blog first thing in the morning everyday! and it never fails to leave me with a huge smile. you are going to be my photographer if my big day comes by!
(August 29th, 2009, 10:14 pm)Hey babe, you’re an inspiration..!! Loved your work before and still loving it..pretty sure always will be..=) Keep up the good work..=D Ur pictures never failed to draw a smile on my face..*two thumbs up*
(August 30th, 2009, 8:46 pm)CONGRATS, Anna!! Can’t wait to meet you in person in December!! ;)
(August 31st, 2009, 9:32 pm)congrats on getting out of the rat race and staying out!!! we’re up in Canada this week and we keep telling ourselves, wow… and everyone else is working, but we’re chilling and enjoying a trip because we’re wedding photographers and loving life!
(September 2nd, 2009, 3:56 pm)It’s the love and passion that we love about you Anna. It must be tough with all that competition but to me (sorry I have to say this again..heheh) you’re the best!
(September 6th, 2009, 1:52 pm)i really love your work..im a fan of yours and im sabahan also..yayyyyyy! We will meet sumday..i want you to capture me on my big day…will u Anna?
(September 6th, 2009, 11:24 pm)what a pixs! u are so talented :) gifted. :) have good day there :) ..i link u on my blog for sure :)
(September 7th, 2009, 7:16 am)hye guess what anna rina.
(March 29th, 2010, 4:42 pm)your face just like zee avi.
wee~ love all your photo.
thinking of buying DSLR..
any tips from you?