LaCresha's Lens Focuses On...page 27...Up and Coming

I have been given the blessing of the title of "The One To Watch" "An Up & Coming Photographer".  While these titles bring me incredible joy and excitement, it brings a level of stress and pressure.  I want to live up to this blessing.  Which means the hard work I have put into my photography, is getting noticed.  It also means I need to strive to take what I have done and push myself more to achieve greatness with my work.  Which ultimately, is what I am after anyway, but now there is this outside expectation.

Working out the other night my phone dinged at me.  It was a text that said;
"I SEE YOU!!!!" 
It was from one of the models I had worked with last year.  I looked around and I did not see her, I replied to the message and had a pleasant conversation with her.  I have gone from not knowing anyone in this town to being seen, recognized by people I don't remember meeting, and being watched.  This is something which is exciting and I am incredibly grateful as it is a blessing.  Behind it all is a pressure.  A pressure to make sure I act a certain and appropriate way in public and around people.  A pressure to watch what I say at all times.  A pressure of taking what I am doing and make something happen with it.
I have a level of gratitude that I have taken on this fitness challenge.  Because with all the eyes which are upon me, I feel a level of pressure I need to look my best while I try to do my best with my business.  I want to look good, feel good and have clothes which fit well when I wear them.
There is no way I can ever "thank" Miss E for allowing me to step in and becoming part of her team and collaborating on projects.  Working with her brings me up 100 notches on the photography belt.  I am taking in all she has to offer in lighting and posing, while striving to take my work to a more competitive level which will be respected.
Mostly, I am thankful and humbled by all those who believe in me.  I am in awe.  Often I can be found on my knees giving thanks to God for this amazing blessing.

With all the eyes on me, some waiting for me to fail, some lifting me up, others watching and waiting to see what I will do next and where my photography will take me.  I am eager and anxious to really make something of myself.  Failure is NOT an option!  I want to live up to the gracious and kind titles which have been placed upon me "Up & Coming Photographer" big shoes to fill. Hopefully the pressure will motivate me to prove myself and show everyone around me-I can do it-I did do it.  At the end of the day, I am doing this for myself.  This is my goal, my dream, I put in 11 hours into my business on Sunday.  It is what I want more than anything.  There will be great celebration when all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears have paid off.  It will simply mean more hard work awaits, however, it will also indicate that hard work pays off.