Financial security or living passionately?

Someone asked if I really want to pursue a career (photography) that lacks financial security...

My response: I am 16 and a half. I started doing photography about a year ago and I think I have come a long ways. If I keep progressing at this rate until I am 18 and manage my photography as a business, I think there is a solid chance I could make a living off of it. When it comes down to it, this is EXACTLY what I want to do. I want to be a photographer, that is my dream. Growing up, people tell you to follow your dreams... that is what I am doing and plan to continue doing throughout my life. When you think about it... it's a very very competitive field, but if there is going to be one person who is going to make it, I will make darn sure that it's me. I will do that by working extremely hard at what I do and following my passion.

I don't want to wake up one day later on in life and think, I really wish I would have taken the leap of trying to become a photographer. This is my time. This is my 100 years, I will make it everything I want it to be. There will probably be struggles, but I can't imagine myself in any other career. Money doesn't bring meaning to your life, living passionately and following your dreams does. I am confident that if God didn't want me to be exactly where I am, I wouldn't be.

During a shoot with my friend, Brooke Bickler, after taking pictures of her for forever... she thought the camera should be turned on me. So, I got on a dress and those ridiculous cowboy boots. It was fun. And I kind of like the way it came out.