L-R: Little Sister (Fuji), Big Sister (Nikon)

In Missouri, I did a significant amount of freelance writing and photography work for other blogs, and also for local and state-wide print publications. While my eye was strong enough to be hired as a second shooter on professional magazine shoots, I quickly learned that my camera was not.

I found that while my Fuji technically had the capability to the basics I needed it to, it was too slow to shoot RAW images quickly, and that its low-light capabilities (it didn’t have the ability to add external flash) were rotten. I realized then that if I wanted to continue to improve my photography, I would need to invest in better equipment — beginning with a better camera.

Smalltowngirl's Growing Family

The old Fuji has sentimental value to me: I bought the Fuji in 2006 on Camera Street in Hong Kong while participating in a year-long Asian fellowship program, and it was my first big purchase after finishing graduate school. I’ll hold onto it for the sentiment and as a backup camera, but the Nikon is my new baby. I can’t wait to start taking photo walks with it, but I admit – the new camera makes me miss my old favorite subject matters; St. Louis and rural Missouri.

Danshui, Taiwan, Photo by MilliGFunk, 2006

Logo owned by Insider573 Magazine

Two years ago I dreamed of having my writing published in magazines, and today I was published in the fourth magazine in twelve months*. Insider573 Magazine, a photo-rich, high-gloss, high-end magazine owned by a Farmington, Missouri family approached me this summer to ask if I was interested in writing for them.

I was surprised when the editor invited me to participate as second shooter for a family photo shoot in a Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri pumpkin patch and corn maze. I love taking photos, and I believe I’ve developed a strong eye for photography, but I was still excited when the September/October issue of Insider573 (see pages 61-69) became available online today and I was able to see a photo editorial with my name on the bi-line.

Seeing my dreams slowly come to life in regional and local publications and sponsorships gives me faith that my bigger dreams of publishing books and receiving sponsored travel opportunities may not be so far off after all. A little bit of faith and a whole lot of hard work, and even pie-in-the-sky dreams can come true. What are you waiting for? Go. Chase those dreams!

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If you like this story and these photos in Insider573, be sure to learn more about hiring me as a writer or photographer for your publication or website. I’m constantly seeking ways to share the beauty of rural Missouri with larger audiences, and magazines like Insider573 or publications like yours can help me do that.

*My writing has also appeared in Aire Magazine, River Hills Traveler and the St. Louis Women’s Journals

This week, I received a note on flickr from schmap.com, requesting use of one my photos of Brooklyn Botanic Garden:

Lily Pool Terrace at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, photo by smalltowngirl

Check out my flickr pool here. I’ll let you know when this photo makes it live on schmap.com’s New York City site.

An addition to the excitement about the schmap.com selection is the blog  that fellow St. Louis Twitter Donna Gamache posted to The St. Louis Design Community Connections blog about me and my photo. Check it out.

Here’s to pursuing hobbies and careers with passion. There’s nothing like being rewarded for what you love to do.