By David Walker

Back in 2000, Seattle photographer Sherry Loeser had been assisting for about three years when she decided to go out on her own. But she changed her mind when the dot com bubble burst, because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to find enough work.

So Loeser continued assisting, and before she knew it, another seven years went by.

Last fall, she again decided to strike out on her own, and this time, she had the experience and confidence she needed to carry it through.

"I think I felt that the conditions for making the leap may never be ideal," she says. "I was getting to the point where on the shoots I felt as though my vision for what we could be doing for the client were different, and to be honest, better [and I had] that feeling, 'I want to be in charge of this.'"

Loeser, who specializes in portraiture, made started a list of clients she wanted to work for, and sent out an e-mail promo. She also worked the relationships she had built during her years as an assistant. "Things started to fall into place," she says.

Loeser is now enjoying a steady flow of editorial and commercial assignments, mostly in the Seattle area. In this video featuring her portfolio work, she explains how she made her transition.

Previously, in part one of "How to Quit Assisting and Become a Photographer," we featured New York fashion and beauty photographer Piper Carter. To view that video, click here.