Kacy Haydel, Certified Photographer?

I did it, I have officially enrolled with New York Institute of Photography for an online photograph program! I haven't gotten to do much work towards my first photo project yet but so far I am really enjoying the reading material and I am really excited to start applying what I am learning. (Note to self: stop being lazy and get out and shoot, shoot shoot!) I love the photo below but I can't wait to get some nice backdrops to use on my backdrop stand!

I start back at college (not NYIP, my academic college) for the spring semester in a couple days and am beyond stressed about it. I just found out that getting my degree in mass communications will take longer than I thought but if I do an individualized study plan I can likley graduate in December.

This is how I realized that I'd rather graduate early and follow my dream of opening my own design/photography studio than get my journalism degree. Tomorrow I find out if I can indeed graduate this December, I think if I find out otherwise I will be crushed but I am going to try to find the silver lining in whatever the outcome. Although this change will be a new challenge and people may judge me for making yet another tweak to my degree, I'm continuing to learn about myself and grow.

I hope to someday have a home studio complete with a nice office area with my mac, my wacom tablet for easier photoshop, and a nice printer so that I can start printing invitations and photos instead of doing digital only. I dream about having a cute little building in my backyard to give me the perfect separation from work and home life. I used to think of this as only a fantasy, something I would only do if I couldn't find a "real" career, but this twist of events has really made me think. I've decided I need to chase this dream. Sure, I may need to get a steady job in order to save up and make this studio possible but it will all be worth it to be making a living by doing something I love.

Here's an invitation I designs, available at my etsy shop along with a few of my favorite shots from this cute little man's birthday party. I want to thank his awesome mommy and my good friend for trusting me to design his invitations. It pushed me to create one of my favorite designs yet!