Okay, this is my first ever blog post that’s not about my photography sessions, so don’t judge!
I’ve been at this photography thing for about 4 years now. I started up my business when I took my first photography class in college. Oh, how little I knew about running a business. I wasn’t super successful and didn’t have a lot of time for photo sessions. I made a Facebook page but wasn’t really serious about it. It went on like this until I graduated from college in July of 2014. Then I got married in November of 2014. So, I was just a little bit busy. I didn’t have much time to focus on my photography business. But, in January of 2015 I decided that it was time to get serious. I’ve always had a HUGE dream to own a wedding events center and be able to photograph each bride that gets married there. And in January, I realized that if I really wanted to stick with this dream that I had to first get my photography business going. I wanted to get myself into the wedding scene and then work my way up from there. So, I got to work. I created a website, blog, new Facebook page and completely re-branded my business. And for a while, I was doing pretty good, but I eventually got lazy and my sessions slowed down. And I had to figure out why. So, I went back to beginning, 4 years before, when I decided I wanted to start this journey as a photographer. Why did I even want to do this in the first place and why have I been at it for so long with no return? So, I found the answer.
I am such a competitive person, so it was actually really hard for me to become a photographer. I didn’t realize it at first, but looking back, it totally makes sense. I’m always comparing myself to others and thinking, ‘ah, they are so much better than me, but I want to be better than them, And I want ALL the clients and I don’t want them to have any’. And now I look back and think, I’m so mean!!! =( But what’s even worse is that I didn’t want to do any work. I just wanted by some miracle, to get all the clients I wanted. And it took some serious and deep thinking to realize that if I wanted to become successful, I had to let go of my ego and gain some real confidence in myself. So, I had an opportunity to keep going along the path I had been on, or completely change everything. Change the way I acted, thought, and ran my business. And eventually, I did decide to CHANGE, to evolve, and to grow.
Just in the last couple months, my view on my photography business and my life has absolutely changed. I’ve had some serious changes in my life that have really caused me to stop and think about what’s most important. It’s caused me to reflect on my huge dream of an events center and if I really want it. If it’s really attainable and if I can actually do it. And through the help of some other AMAZING photographers and my WONDERFUL HUSBAND, I’ve realized that I CAN. But it won’t come easy. It will take hard work and lots of help. I’ve realized that I can’t do it on my own. And that has taken some serious humbling on my part. Like I said earlier, I’m so competitive and I always think I can do everything myself! So, I had to take piece of humble pie and ask for help.
That’s when I found The Rising Tide Society. They are dedicated to bringing creatives TOGETHER instead of pulling them apart because of competition. And oh my goodness, the difference this has made in my business, in my thinking and in my life is INCREDIBLE. I’ve found an amazing support group with TuesdaysTogether here in my own area. It has given me the confidence to keep going and to work harder to realize my dream. And in all of this struggle, I’ve learned such an important lesson that I thought I already knew. I’ve learned that we’re all in this together, Whether it’s business, life, dreams, or anything else. I’ve been thinking about family a lot lately and about the unity that comes when you’re connected to your family. And that’s what I’ve found. I’ve found a family in photography and in all the amazing people that are willing to help others grow. I still have a lot of learning to do and a long ways till I reach my dream, but for now, I’m grateful for the people and the experiences that have helped me to GROW!
Photo Credit ~ Jaycee Photography
