We've all been in this place. Unfamiliar territory. Deciding whether to jump in with both feet or maybe just stick a toe to test the waters.

That's where I am right now.

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to start helping a professional photographer before I ever thought of becoming one myself. For two summers, I tagged along at weddings to help with equipment, fix hair and necklace placement and, occasionally, shoot an additional angle. Over that time, I came to crave that feeling, that energy of taking part in someone's "big day."  The big, happy family, the beautiful bride and the Electric Slide were just a few of the things that drew me to shooting weddings.

When I began to show an interest in really learning to use my camera that previously spent the majority of its time in the case, I was fortunate enough to have the help of a few of my photographer friends. They taught me about lenses, reviewed my settings while shooting, let me play with their editing software and even let me tag along on some of their sessions.

For these things, I am forever grateful. It's such a blessing knowing that these people see the spark in my eye – and are pushing me to turn it into something!

So now I've got the practice, the desire and the drive. Where do I go from here? Like I said, getting started is hard.

But there's really only one next step that feels right:

Put my camera in my hand and jump in with both feet!