The scariest time of year is right around the corner--Halloween! While this may not be a scary month for everyone, it was for me, but not for the reason you may think.

I have taken on the biggest project this small town photographer has yet--school photography. Two short years ago I picked up my first DSLR and started learning my craft. In time, I began doing family shoots, seniors, and babies, etc. Then one day, someone recommended me for their sports teams' pictures--about 100 kids. I was terrified! But I worked my way through it and learned all that I could. One sports team led to another and eventually the teams got bigger and bigger. Well, this past week I went to a school with over 750 kids and staff. And at first, I was scared out of my mind--in a good way!!

Knowing this project had been on my calendar, I prepared for about six months. I went from my old system of hand-writing name slates on index cards to implementing the barcode system and learning all of its software. I learned how to work with green screen technology and the programs necessary for that as well. I made sure I had all the right equipment and a backup for everything in my arsenal. There has been an unending stream of learning for this first school project and my "fear" has driven me. I have allowed it to push me to do things I have never done before and it is EXCITING!!

Now that the shoot is over, the real work begins and all the processing will take a course of weeks, but what a great experience it has been!! They say success is simply preparedness meeting opportunity. I can't say what the future holds but I do know that whatever opportunities are ahead, I will accept the challenge and I will be ready!