Well, it’s hard to believe but Paths of Joy Nature Photography was established a little over one year ago on Sept 1st, 2025. To say that I’m learning a lot is a vast understatement. Even preparing for the launch of POJ was way out of my comfort zone. I had never really expected to carry out my dream of sharing nature photography with others, as a business. It always just seemed too overwhelming.
Yet my dear artist friend, Nanette Olsen, was persistent in her quest to have me step out in faith to do just that. In the end, I realized that I just needed to trust God to lead the way, knowing that He would use the venture in my life, whether it was “successful” by worldly standards of money and fame or simply brought joy to myself and a handful of others. As with all new ventures in life, there’s always something to be learned and appreciated.
With much apprehension, I held three art showings last year where many Inspirational Art pieces were available along with a few fine art gallery pieces. For fun, I created cards with quotes or scripture or no wording. Friends came out and supported me, and my first custom commissioned gallery piece went to its new home in November.
One of the first lessons I learned was that starting a business is MUCH harder than envisioned. There was the initial hurdle of choosing an available relevant name with matching website domain, then followed by the daunting task of creating a website. A year later, I am still learning more about how to work with the technology of the website and a photo editing program. Then there were all the required-but-not-fun licenses and permits to attain. Ordering images and materials for Inspirational Art was rewarding as it was bringing to life my decade plus commitment of “Scripture & Picture” on Facebook and expanding virtual ideas to real image art.
So how is Paths of Joy Nature Photography going a year later? Well, it’s slow, but it’s so exciting and gratifying to share my personal paths of joy in nature. A new computer has made editing more complicated but also offers more options, when editing may be needed. My hope for the nature photography end of Paths of Joy is that local friends who have enjoyed the image artwork will tell other friends about POJ…and that long distance friends and clients will order gallery and inspirational art from the website.
Aside from the photography, Paths of Joy features a Daily Inspiration page to provide encouragement, insight, and provoke thought. Though it takes anywhere from 25 to 30 hours per week to keep up the Daily Inspiration page on the website, it really is the heart and soul of the Paths of Joy website. This free feature is one that I hope that will touch many hearts and lives…and that will be shared worldwide. More on this aspect of Paths of Joy on its November 1st anniversary.
If you have been one of the people directly supporting the photography aspect of Paths of Joy, thank you!!! If you love nature and haven’t yet ordered from the website, check out what’s available. If you are local, come by and see what’s offered. AND, if you look at photos on social media, know that many of those photos are accessible as a custom order.
No matter what, I encourage you to pursue your own dreams and walk your own path of joy this lovely autumn!
