Epicness.

Here it is. THE epicness I've been promising my facebook friends all afternoon, and promising myself since, oh, about 2009... 

I've been following "tut.com" for quite a while, receiving spiritual and uplifting emails daily at 4:30 am, and this facebook post today by Mike Dooley (organizer from tut) was yet another sign that it was time to let you in on the epicness. 

Actually, the signs have been lining up for awhile now.  Ultimately, I've found myself drawn to the message of being led by joy, and have found it in photography and the many doors that have been opened through opening myself up to new possibilities and challenges. I've found myself dreaming of the idea of a Rosy Hue studio for a long time. I shared my thoughts with my parents last year and just months later, I had the keys to RHP in my hands. Last year I had the opportunity and honor to shoot my first weddings and made the silent goal to double the number of weddings I wanted to shoot in year two of wedding photography. As of today, I've far surpassed that goal and looking forward to meeting even more amazing couples. I've been blessed to photograph more newborn babies in their first weeks of life, and finding an unreasonable amount of joy in spending Saturday afternoons propping little people up on beanbags. I've met new families, and had the pleasure to watch them grow over the years as repeat clients. I feel like a complete sap, but this year has been a humbling, eye-opening, soul-fulfilling year. 


While the notion that "my calling" was truly starting to come calling was an awesome feeling, I was also starting to feel the strain of teaching my kindergarteners all day, caring for my family, and editing into the wee hours of the night. It's been a struggle to maintain my sanity some days, and I began to feel an even stronger yearning to be at home with my kiddos, whom I felt were strangers to me on some of the tougher Monday mornings as I woke up early and prepared my lunch for school. 

Justin and I have spent a lot of time discussing options and alternatives to continue the growth of RHP and the happiness of our family. I am thrilled (and scared to death) at our conclusion: I will be taking a leave of absence from teaching from September through January to focus on my most important love, my family, and my passion, RHP. 

Some people ask, "Why the 'we' in all your posts, Danielle? Aren't you the only photographer?" Yes, perhaps it is a bad habit, but the "we" behind RHP is so much greater: it's the countless hours that Justin has been home alone caring for the babies during late night wedding shoots, building ridiculous Ikea get-ups for the studio, and answering the constant question, "Which edit do you like better, this one or this one?:"; it's my family who has inspired me to follow my passion and offered physical, emotional and financial support along the way; it's my fabulous friend Elissa who has been my wedding photography partner in crime; it's a conversation with my friend Jen in the back of Borders over coffee when I confessed that my dream was to be a photographer; it's so many family, friends and complete strangers who became friends by calling me up and saying, "Hey, can you come take our picture?"; and ultimately, it's Hou and Lee, my "Rosy" and my "Hue" who pushed me to be the mommy I wanted to be for my babies - a hard-working, creative, passionate mom who followed her biggest dream and made a life for her family at the same time.

Thank you for reading and being part of the "we." We're so thankful to have you along for the ride.

Peace and Love,
Danielle