When you think of what lights your soul on fire, what comes to mind? Is there a certain hobby you really would want to make into your career? Maybe it’s connecting with people you love. Maybe you love serving. I don’t know what your passion is, but if you’re considering using your God-given talents for something greater, let this be a sign to take the next step.

Growing up, people would ask if I was going to be a nurse like my mom. I would politely respond “Do you have to learn the bones for that?! I don’t think so.” In middle school when we’d have to take those personality tests that were supposed to match you up with your career, I’d always get stuff that said I’d be a dancer, photographer, firefighter or singer. How the heck am I supposed to make a living from that, I’d think.

Once I got to high school, I thought going to business school would be the most practical. I was good at math, I could crunch numbers and loved digital marketing. It would be a great fit, right? After a few months of college classes I decided to use my creative outlet to make some money. I can remember wondering what people were going to think when I said I was going to go into business… would they take me seriously at seventeen?

Over the course of finishing college and getting married things changed… but my love for serving people through photography didn’t. In fact, during those difficult times of change I found such joy in documenting precious moments for my clients.

If you would have told me in my seventh grade reading class when I decided to do my research project on running your own photography business, or the high school girl who took digital media and created a website called “Picture Perfect by Zoe” that this is where I’d be, I don’t think I would have believed you. I never dreamed I’d be here. But, boy am I grateful!

If you’re like I was and think your passion, hobby or interests can’t build a career, you’re wrong. Passion should be the driving force behind your why. Yes, I get it. I know we all need a job to survive. But what about thriving? Why would you only want to survive when you can thrive?

I started my business because I wanted to serve people in a way that allows them to cherish moments. That’s what I’ve done since the very beginning. I had a passion to serve. While that wasn’t being a nurse like my momma, I get to serve people in another way. What’s your passion? How can you use it to thrive in life; not just survive?

xoxo,
Zoe