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Make the Leap to Full-Time in Prayer

We're Amy & Jordan
We're here to help you take amazing photos, build a successful business and live a beautiful life. We're high school sweethearts, parents of three and teachers at heart. 
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We’re at the end of a series for photographers and aspiring entrepreneurs called “Making the Leap” where we’re sharing our ten practical steps for going from part-time photographers to full-time. Or, as author Jon Acuff puts it, going from your day job to your dream job without it becoming a nightmare.

When we were little, our parents used to tuck us into bed at night. We’d brush our teeth (when we were old enough to have them), wiggle one arm and leg at a time into our pajamas (Ninja Turtles and Little Mermaid, respectively), and before story time, they’d pray with us. Jordan’s dad would kneel at the side of his twin bed, close his eyes softly, naturally, and rest his elbows comfortably on the dinosaur sheets. Jordan, still small and newer at it, knelt beside him and prayed like every child does: head jutted up and forward, awkwardly, eyes squeezed tight like a clenched fist, and arms extended all the way to heaven just to reach the top of the bed. Amy’s parents prayed with her, too, except that instead of getting on their knees, they’d snuggle up in the sheets, cuddle together in bed, and talk to God. Amy’s never been one for leaving the comforts of a warm bed if she doesn’t have to.

They taught us to believe

Our parents taught us how to pray. For the things we had and the things we wanted. For the people we loved and the ones who made life challenging. For the less fortunate. The poor. The sick. For our leaders. Our teachers. Our pastors. Our presidents. For everything. The little things and the big ones. For our life and future. For our dreams. They taught us to believe. In a God who made us, loves us, and wants the best for us. That we could be anyone and do anything in this world as long as we remembered one simple truth: everything we are and everything we have isn’t because of us. It’s because of Him. And because God’s in the business of loving people, we knew that our business would sink or swim, rise or fall, succeed or fail, based on how much we lost ourselves
in the love and service of others. So, we prayed. For years, months, weeks, days, and even hours before we made the final decision to leave our safe, full-time teaching jobs. We prayed. Just like we were kids, but with very grown up prayers. We prayed in the car, at the table, and in bed. We prayed alone, together, with family and friends. We prayed when we felt terrified, and when we felt excited, too. We even prayed that one night after a wedding, on the bathroom floor, when Amy was so sick and tired she couldn’t stand up anymore, and Jordan had to hold her up for support while she wetted his shoulder with tears, and we looked up to the sky with welled-up eyes and wondered if we’d ever make it. No one saw us that night except God, but even then, especially then, we prayed.

We prayed all the time.

And God showed up. In the most clear and convincing ways, He showed up. The way He always does. In people. In the friends and family who encouraged us. In the mentors who advised us. In the clients who trusted us. In everyone who hugged us, held us, and with the sincerest eyes looked at us and said, “We believe in you.” To those people, our army of angels, you know who you are, and thank you.

For us, going full-time wasn’t, as our pastor says, a leap in the dark. It’s been a walk in the light. A commitment. A resolution. A sacred trust. That building a life dedicated to loving and serving others couldn’t not succeeded if we did business differently, and instead of measuring our success in currency, we measured it in changed lives.

No matter where you were yesterday, where are you are today, or where you’ll be tomorrow, you can’t do it alone. None of us can. Maybe it’s time to set down the camera and remember what it was like to sleep in dinosaur sheets or wear Little Mermaid pajamas. To be a child. To have faith. To believe. If it’s been a long time, maybe now’s the right time. Maybe it’s time to get down on your knees.

Maybe it’s time to pray.

We’re so proud of our shooting and editing course students all across the world! They’re shooting better, editing faster and serving their clients better than ever before!

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Alisa

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Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

meet us

Amy & Jordan

We're high school sweethearts who had no formal training in photography, but went from being elementary school teachers to making six figures as full-time photographers. We're teachers at heart (with over 30,000 online course students) and are here to help YOU take amazing photos, build a thriving business and live a beautiful life. As parents to three littles, we're all about making every minute count and love to share what we're learning along the way. We're so glad you're here!
 

Hey friend! we're

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In this FREE online class, we'll show you three major photo mistakes (and how to fix them) so you can take beautiful photos with whatever camera you have! No prior experience required!

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FREE ONLINE PHOTO CLASS

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@amy_demos

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In this FREE online class, we'll show you three major photo mistakes (and how to easily fix them) so you can take beautiful photos with whatever camera you have! No prior experience required! 

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3 MaJOR PHOTO MISTAKES

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Don't take another photo without learning the most common photo mistakes most people make (and how to fix them fast!) Get our secrets for amazing pics no matter what camera you have in this online photography training for FREE! No experience required!