Last year I added the Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art lens to my bag. Being kind to myself and talking to myself the way I would to someone I love, because I deserve love and respect just as much as everyone else. But for real, this has helped me be more intentional in my thoughts and actions. I was never much of a book reader but I have found a topic I can’t get enough of – self-help books.
So… one of the best changes I’ve made to help battle fear is to educate myself on how to fight it. It comes in many forms… from self doubt, questioning my worth, my skills, my audacity of show up… how dare I stand beside so many other artists, accomplished artists, and offer my service? You have to be willing to go for it even in the face of opposition.įor me, the most surprising challenge since opening my photography business has been the inner battle of fear. To say you have to be willing to sacrifice seems so cliche but really… you do… you have to be willing to stay the course no matter what the challenge or the risk. You can’t just say it as lip service to make yourself feel better about the crappy moment that you want to change. We have the power to make our heart sing.īut that’s the key… the power, the drive, the determination, the optimism. We are the makers of our story and have the power to change course at any time. We get one life and it should be nothing short of fantastic. What I’ve learned over the past two years is that it’s NEVER too late to change your course. And still to this day, my dream would be to own a studio where I could shoot and also hold art classes, for children and parents… workshops on crafting, creating, and making beautiful things. When I came back from a California vacation I wanted to own a B&B or cafe on the coast. Then I followed a new path to a more corporate environment and I always found a way to focus on my strengths and continue moving forward in my career.īut always, if I was asked what I would LOVE to do… the dream was always to own a business.
I found my way to teaching in the floral industry, focused on sales and service which helped me cultivate some of my natural strengths. I had no idea how to do this and no money to do so… and so my path went a different direction. But the aspiration was not to work at a studio, it was to OWN a studio. I was a dancer since I was 4 years old and it was my life. Back in high school I really wanted to own a dance studio. If you are looking for a PA Family Documentary Photographer then I just may be the photographer for you! Let’s connect!įor as far back as I can remember, if you asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up it always involved running a business. I would love to help you freeze a moment of childhood to remember forever. And how their hug feels, still wrapped around my waist. How they still walk up behind me and grab my hand. I know they are doing what they are supposed to do. Every day I want more time with them like this, right here, in this moment. Every day I want to keep them here just a little while longer. Still, every day, this takes my breath away. How did they get this big, this mature, this grown up, this smart, this big? I mean I know how we got here but really… how did we get here already? And I look at them every day and scratch my head and feel my heart race as I wonder how we got here. My oldest is one school year away from Middle School. My youngest is about to start Kindergarten. With my camera I can stop time… well ok maybe freeze time… which is the closest thing I can get to stopping time. This is at the very core of why I fell in love with photography. It’s amazing how day by day nothing seems to change, but yet when you look back everything is different. And then the weeks turn into months, the months turn into seasons, and before you know it another birthday has come and gone. These moments pass by so quick… every week looking to the weekend. When I started this project the goal was simple – to add more focus and intention to my shooting, both for my family and for my clients. There is always something so satisfying about seeing progress, checking things off a list, stepping forward, even if it’s just one week at a time. I will still drop it in the bottom so that I can keep track. So, out with the Week #’s and in with a more descriptive title. I’ve been working hard over here to align my content with online searchability methods so that when someone is looking for say, a PA Family Documentary Photographer they will see my content, learn more about my style, and if I would be a good fit to help them tell their story. If you’ve been following along with #thejoyful52project then you may have noticed a change in my blog post titles.