Fell in love with photography when I was 7 years old and started documenting family and friends with an old box camera. Still have those pictures.

Got my hands on an old SLR sitting in my dad's closet, and knew this was what I wanted to do.

Headed to Mizzou to study photojournalism.

Decided California sounded cool, so moved to the Central Coast to work as a photojournalist for a couple of daily newspapers.

Met and fell in love with a South Carolina native who proposed during a walk on the beach, asking me to spend the rest of my life with him. (I said, "Yes!")

Came home to South Carolina.

Did a stint covering USC (Go Gamecocks!) and Clemson (Go Tigers!) sports for the Associated Press. Got published in national media (Newsweek, Family Circle Magazine and the Washington Post ) while earning my master's at USC.

Honed my skills working with an incredibly talented photography staff at The State newspaper.

Found I was having more fun with wedding photography than my "real job."

Took a step of faith to do photojournalism on my own.

Loving every minute of it!

Renée Ittner McManus, RIMphotography.com