I never could have imagined.
Starting a business at the start of the pandemic seems like I was setting myself up for disaster. What the pandemic didn't know was just how motivated I was to do this. How passionate I was about not only about photography but finally doing something to make myself happy. To have the work/life balance that I had heard about but never experienced in my 35 years of life. That's also the thing, I was starting a business at 34. I feel like for whatever reason society makes you feel like you have to have it all together and figure everything out by the time you hit 30. That pressure causes us to settle, to rush to find something. That is probably the reason why a large number of people are sitting on student loans for schooling they aren't even using. I am here to tell you that you can start a business at anytime, you don't need to put your goals aside for anything or anyone. As I stated I started my business right before the pandemic hit, and not only that but I also had a new baby and really I could find lots of excuses not to start a business. I am forever glad I didn't.
The other day I had someone message me that was starting out as a photographer looking for advice on what to do. It really hit me then that people were noticing my success, I was successful. I had to stop for a minute because somewhere between all the free portfolio shoots I did to practice, and all the paid photos I had done I had become successful in what I had been trying to accomplish. I am not one to be proud of myself, unfortunately I kind of keep myself under a microscope. Like most humans my failures seem so much bigger than all the accomplishments, but this time I actually took the time to realize just how far I had come. The more clients I have the bigger I grow, I have so many repeat customers that I am so appreciative of. On top of that they are always referring other people and that really does give me that warm fuzzy feeling inside, and silences that little inner voice that questions whether I am good enough.
I am good enough, and with so much hard work I am so proud of where I am and what I have accomplished!
If you are a photographer reading this know that starting a business in this field is difficult, and takes a lot of work, learning, and at the start you hardly pay yourself anything. It's worth it in the end.
If you are a future client (hopefully) I am glad you are getting to know me a bit, it can be reassuring to know that the person taking your photos is passionate and hardworking, and loves what they do! It will show in the finished product, I promise!
