Deviant friends,

It's been so long but alas, I've crawled back from my grave to express a few things.

It's been 6 years since I first embraced deviantart. Through these 6 years I've maintained a love for art and photography, and made many friends whom I've watched flourish and grow into amazing and respected artists.
I've grown from being a bitter, lost 16 year old girl to a happily married woman, but there are a few things that have not changed which I'd hope to...

While I've watched my friends dabble in their artistic curiosity and bloom as the years progressed, I've seen myself at somewhat of a standstill. As much as I love photography, it's never been a large part of my life. I take photos because I like to, WHEN I like to - and leave the theory and understanding of equipment to the professionals.
I've found that my resistance to gaining a greater understanding of this art form has left me to fall behind and play in the same puddle I had been laying in years ago.

This year I've taken a harder look at my long term career goals and found myself saddened.
My partner tells me to do what I love, to base my career on something that would bring happiness to my life.
I swing around in a circle and find that photography is where my heart is. THIS is what I want to live, breathe, and understand. THIS is where I want to grow, improve, and release my creative energy.
I've always been one to underestimate myself. To assume that I can't be whatever it is I want to be.
Now, as a grown woman, it's finally the right time to make the choices I was afraid to pursue so long ago.
It's time to stand up on my two feet alone and say that I am capable of blooming too.

People scorn low quality work often on this site. If seems if you're not wielding an expensive camera or producing work at a professional level, you're incapable of producing anything of value to anyone.
I would just like to respond to this idea but suggesting they look at earlier work which has for many years been available for stock. To this day the majority of notes and messages I have received have been from deviant users using my early stock to work their creativity upon.
From afar some of these photos may look pointless, boring, and generic. Yet for many it's a valuable reference that they may use freely to hone their skills and produce something that brings pride to them.
I for one am honestly thrilled to be of assistance, and I look forward to submitting more stock soon.

There have also been so many people who have shown constant support over the years.
Friends, watchers, artists and others who use stock photos to express their thoughts and imagination.
I am forever thankful to you all. Thank you for bringing relevance to my work.

I've been silent and dormant for a long time now, but I can assure you - this won't be the last you'll see of me.
If anything, it's only the beginning.

-Annabelle