The photo that took me from amateur photographer to professional

Up until recently, photography was just a hobby for me. Oh, everyone said I had a great eye for setting up and framing a photograph, but mostly I was just taking random shots of things that interested me when I was out on my daily peregrinations. But that all changed one day when I caught a glimpse of something I had always thought was just a "fairy tale," something people said was there, but nobody could ever prove. And yes, I took several pictures of it, from different angles, with different photo effects and filters, and even changing the angle and lenses of my camera. I have a lovely DSLR camera that my fiancé bought me as an engagement gift, complete with a comprehensive set of lenses, filters, and backdrops. You see, I not only take pictures of things I see on my peregrinations, but I also do portraits for family and friends. So, what was it that I saw that day? What was the picture that thrust me into the spotlight? It's kind of hard to explain, actually. It was of an animal that looked like a mix of a unicorn, a zebra, and a Pegasus. What made it even more unusual was the fact that all of its stripes, horn and body, were different colors, as if this creature had been dipped into vats of easter egg colors section by section, becoming a four-hooved, horned, winged, fur-covered, long-tailed, flowing-maned living rainbow for all the world to see. And yet, I was apparently the only one in that park who could see this magnificent beast.

Why was I the only one who could see this marvel of nature? Was I hallucinating? Was I in a dream state? A fugue? I had to try and get closer to this animal, and see if I could actually touch it. Or would it run in terror from me? So, that is what I did. Slowly, hesitantly at first, I made my approach toward this glorious work of living art. And it didn't move! It stayed right there! As I approached, I held my hands up to let it know that I meant no harm, but only wanted to touch it and make sure it was real. I had gotten to within about three paces when, all of a sudden, it spoke to me! Yes, it actually spoke to me. "You aren't sure that I'm real, are you?" "No, I'm not. Especially since I seem to be the only one who can see you." That is because you are the only one in this park of speaking age who has a pure heart." "So what are you?" "I am a rainbow uniPeg." What is a uniPeg?" "My father was a unicorn, and my mother was a Pegasus." "And how did you come by your rainbow stripes?" "I was conceived in the middle of a thunderstorm, and just as my father seeded my mother, the storm ended, and a rainbow filled the sky. My mother always told me that was their sign that I would be a special foal and would grow up to seek out those who were pure of heart, who were being persecuted and oppressed for being different from what society said is 'normal' and 'right'. She and Father always said I was made for reminding people that the only way they would be living right is if they listened to their souls and lived as their true selves, regardless of what society said. She said I had a duty to protect these souls and to watch out over them, and find them in their darkest hours and let them know that they were doing the work of angels."

"I see. So, do you think I am in my darkest hours?" "No, you aren't in them now, but you haven't long left them. You are only now finally starting to realize that your fiancé loves you in spite of the fact that you are transgender, that he loves you for the person you are, and that he wants to help you heal from the trauma of your past, both distant past and near past. He bought you the photography equipment so that you could pursue your passion, and build a life where you are working for yourself, and never have to worry about another toxic workplace ever again. I allowed you to take your pictures of me so that you could get your big break. So yes, you will find that all of those shots you took of me will be there when you go to your photo editing laptop and begin sorting and perfecting them. And I will STILL be helping you, because in the time you have been talking with me and stroking my mane, my tail, my back, my sides, and my ears, I have been imparting sections of my soul into you. Sections that will help make your photographs even better than you ever dreamed. And you will photograph red carpet events, celebrity weddings, concerts, everyday life, and so much more. You will even have books of your photography on the best seller list. You will find that what you thought was only a hobby will become your life's work, and yet, because it is also your passion, you will never feel like you are working. You will feel as though you are being paid to play. And that is the greatest gift I can give anyone-the gift of being able to pursue their dreams and enjoy their vocation."

That was ten years ago. In that time, I have become a world-renowned photographer who is in demand for all of those events the UniPeg said I would photograph, and so many more. I won't tell you my name, because it would open me up to too many requests that I would have to unfortunately turn down. And yes, I have thirty-two books of my photography on the best seller lists. Yes, all at one time. And I owe it all to the Rainbow UniPeg and its gifts.