Another Day, Another Hurdle, Another Moment of Clarity

When I first started my photography business, I never thought of the not so fun side of things. I was ready to get my camera out, photograph the people around me and create beautiful images. It never occurred to me that the grass isn't always green, and that sometimes there would be mud rather than grass. Mud that looks like imposter syndrome, picky clientele, cancelations, ghost albums, and feelings of needing to please everyone around me to make my business thrive. As someone who always wants to make people happy, I let my willingness to please trump the needs of my business and in return, my business began to show the wear and tear.

It's easy to lose yourself in business, or life in general, when your goal is to please everyone else around you. You focus on the needs of others and stop prioritizing your own, which is no way to live, personally or professionally. Through all the discounted shoots and saying yes to anything that came my way, my business stopped looking like what I envisioned and slowly the creative spark began to die.

Then, one day, after what felt like a slap in the face on a discounted shoot, I turned to my closest friends who reminded me of my worth and I decided that it was time to take back my business. The days of discounted shoots and not feeling good enough are over. I know my worth, my talent and what I bring to the table as a photographer, and if it's not what you are looking for, then find another table to sit at. I take pride in the years I've spent and all the growth I've accomplished and I know that the people who see that and appreciate that will be the ones continuing to book me and cheer me on.

Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to reset your perspective and as frustrating as they can be in the moment, they are so necessary for your growth. Value who you are and what you put into this world. When you value yourself, the right people show up who also value you and the rest will fade away.

I am happy to let go of what isn't for me and embrace what is.

~Shannon W.