Experiences I'll never forget...

There are a few moments in my professional history which I will never forget. They changed everything for me, in a rather large way. Everyone goes through life with those "big moments". Moments in which at the time seem insignificant, or too big to fully grasp what's happening. Looking back, you realize that in that moment, everything changed. So far, professionally, there's a handful that come to mind.


The day I walked into my first legitimate photo shoot is one of the biggest. I was shooting with John Truong, Chelsea Christian, Adrienne Cheney and Justina Downs. I knew Adrienne through high school, and through her, I met some of the most creative minds I've ever known. That first day, my heart is racing, my mind is swimming, I don't know what I've gotten myself into.

I was worried I wasn't good enough, what they'd expect, that I wouldn't be able to make their ideas come to life. I met everyone with a handshake or a hug, and proceeded to get everything ready. Throughout that shoot, I came to life. I realized I was only as good as I would allow myself to be, so I reached for the stars and made it happen. Everyone loved my work, although I felt I could have done better of course. You're your own biggest critic, and never let anyone take that quality from you.

Adrienne Cheney at another shoot together.

The photos came out amazing from our collaborative efforts. I made long lasting friendships and working relationships that have seriously changed my life. Without meeting John, I don't think I would have been a part of so many amazing shoots. Working with his has been a blessing. I am allowed to let my creativity fly free, I'm a part of the decision making process, the conceptual stage and the final result. Not many makeup artists get that opportunity so early. I am incredibly thankful. What I learned from this was "Never underestimate yourself or your abilities. Once you believe you cannot do it, it becomes true."




Another life changing experience was attending IMATS in Pasadena this last summer. I was surrounded by incredible artists. I realized that this can actually and realistically become my career if I worked hard enough. Before this experience, I didn't think I could do makeup as my career. I thought I would need to do hair to pay the bills and do makeup for fun. Seeing all of these masters of their crafts was so inspiring.

My sister and I at IMATS 2011.

I walked into the building expecting to spend heaps of money on makeup, maybe meet some YouTube gurus, and see some cool stuff. I had no idea what I was in for. Not only did I get to meet some of the people who inspired me to do makeup in the first place, but I was able to see artists bring paint to life on skin.

I walked around the building in awe of what I was seeing. Things I didn't even realize were possible with brushes and cosmetics were in front of my face, without a hint of photoshopping possible. Special effects and body painting really caught my eye. The artists I met, talked with and watched work were amazing. There are no words for what they are capable of. This simple weekend in June changed my life forever.

A shoot with John Truong inspired by Katy Perry's ET video after being inspired at IMATS.

I dropped my plans to move to San Francisco, decided immediately I was going to move to LA, go to school, and actually live out my dreams. I started planning, and now here I am. Upon my return to my hometown, I started doing photoshoots like crazy. I was implementing concepts I had only dreamed of doing someday. I was doing things that real PROs were doing. The thing I took most from this was "Make your dreams become a reality. Don't sell yourself short or settle for less. If it's really your dream, you will find a way to make it come true."


The third most life changing event in my career thus far is moving to LA. I found an apartment, picked out a school, and started "making things happen" as my roommate likes to say. I packed up, and moved 400 miles away from home. Talk about jumping out of the nest to learn how to fly hah. I was terrified every moment of it. I still am most days. But I know that I'm doing the right thing. I know that I'm following my dreams. It's the best thrill-ride I've ever been on.

The drive down to LA!

While I've been here, I've already had some amazing experiences. I adore my roommates, I've met some amazing people, I've reconnected with old friends, and I've really felt a sense of standing on my own two feet. I took a master's class through MAC taught by one of my idols, Victor Cembelin, and was so inspired and touched by the end of it. I learned so much in those few short hours with him, not only about makeup itself, but about the way he works, his experiences, and his journey. I'm so thankful to have gone.

I've had many people tell me I'm inspiring for jumping head first into this adventure. I've had people tell me how proud they are of me, envious even. I feel completely and utterly blessed right now. I get to do what I love. I get to spend my days doing things that make me happy, and I get paid for it too. I still have an immensely long and hard road ahead of me, and I can't wait.

Following your dreams is rough. It's like walking on the very edge of a cliff. One wrong step, and you crash down to the bottom. Or so it feels. But the view is incredible. It's exhilarating. It's terrifying. It's absolutely worth every second of it. I wouldn't change anything for the world. "If your dreams do not scare you, they're not big enough."