Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Photography Career...or lack thereof

I've been thinking lots and lots about my photography career.
Currently I do not have a photography career but I would love too at some point in my life.
2008 was great and I really did think I was coming into 2009 with a business number, price increases and going "professional"
Then in December I was reading an article which hit me square in the face saying "YOU ARE NOT READY!" I was so upset about this realization that I almost cried right then and there, yet I knew it was true. I wasn't ready. I needed more experience, a better business plan, more camera equipment, an upgraded computer and the list goes on.
After Christmas everything went quiet.....
it seemed nobody wants photos in the winter (which I personally don't get cause you can get such UNIQUE photos that time of year).
I put myself out there on my blog offering "deals" to anyone who was willing to contact me. Nobody did, what they didn't realize these deals pretty much meant freebies just so I could get experience.
Then I re-name these "deals" and call it a contest and I get a response....go figure. Contests are great, don't get me wrong but its not how I want to get customers on a regular basis.
Another reason I've post-poned my wanting to be a professional photographer is that Kristen & I were hoping to start a family soon and January we were happy to discover that we have a little one on the way.
I feel this isn't the time for me to start a business.
If I want to do it well I'm not going to half-ass it and hope for the best. I want to be a great mom and a great photographer...I can't take on both at once.
Which has lead me to the decision that for the next few years while having a family I'm going to take this time to practice, practice, practice....develop a strong business plan, and prepare myself in the hopes that in time I can whole heartedly pursue this dream of mine.
So for now I'm going to become a Mom and a serious hobby photographer on the side :)
I'm quite happy with this and will be altering my photography blog to reflect that.
When I'm ready to go pro my blog, website and so on will be updated accordingly.
Thanks for all of your support, its you my blog readers who've been my biggest photography fans to date and I cannot express in words how appreciative I am for that.
My schedule from now until mid-August is pretty open as mentioned on my photo blog. After that I'll be taking some time off until I feel ready to start again on the side. If you do want to book a session before then, get in touch, cause this will soon be me........  :)
Today's Quote
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs

2 comments:

Tara said...

GIRL....I hear ya! A family, having children really makes you think about what YOU really want while your kids are young. I believe good mother's (& father's) put their children FIRST while they are in their lives (and it goes by SO fast). Some may disagree - but fooeey on them!!! LOL Besides, practice is good and what better subjects to practice with than your children (I only wish I would have had a 'good' camera when Noah was a baby ;( )

I'm with ya girlfriend....I support you 100% on your decision. I guarantee NOTHING is a more rewarding and fulfilling career than MOTHERHOOD - and I mean NOTHING!!!

I wish we lived closer so I could "USE" you, your growing belly and your baby as subjects for practice. I'm envious!!!

Stephanie said...

I read that women can have it all, they just can`t have it all at once. At present time I am definitely a mom first and wouldn1t change that for anything.