ok. so this is probably going to look a lot more like a journal entry because i am going to get very personal. i have had a lot of things going on in my head lately. i have been battling a lot of insecurities with my photography and i’ve decided to share it with you. that’s what this is about, right? for y’all to get to know me better, i need to be open and honest with you. so here i am, about to bare my soul. don’t think i’m too crazy, okay? :)
one thing that has been bumming me out lately is that i’m in the “in between” phase. i am at that point in my business right now, where i meet potential clients who either expect me to photograph their event for practically nothing OR clients that don’t think i’m established enough and choose someone who is more expensive than me. needless to say, i have been pretty frustrated lately. i don’t know how to get out of this rut. do other photographers experience the same thing as me? it stinks. i put a LOT of work into my photography. i try my best to get to know my clients and i plan out their sessions to fit them. i work hard to customize everything to fit my client, because i believe that is what they deserve, something special and unique just for them. i feel like i put SO MUCH into what i do.
it can be so discouraging at times. i feel like some people expect me to shoot their engagement pictures, photograph their 12-hour-wedding extravaganza, plus edit all of their photos for next to nothing. i feel like i am reasonably priced and try my best to be budget friendly, but i also believe that people try to take advantage of that sometimes. because i love what i do so much, i really would do everything for free. BUT that doesn’t pay the bills or buy equipment haha, so i can’t do that.
then i meet people who love all the work i put into it, but feel because i don’t charge that much it must mean i’m not that good. they see my lower prices as almost a weakness. they think i must not really be that good if my prices are so cheap. urgghhh. craziness i tell you! i feel like i’m caught between a rock and hard place. i would love to know if other photographers experienced this at the beginning of their business. it would help put some perspective on this situation and definitely help me in my time of despair. this “in between” phase can be very challenging. i’m sure a lot of the photographers i look up to once went through the same thing. it’s just so hard right now haha. any encouragement would be lovely! :)
please don’t think i’m about to quit photography, though. no no no. i love it and will ALWAYS do it for as long as i am able. i guess i just need to stop worrying so much. i know God will take care of me. i guess because this is uncharted territory, i’m just really apprehensive when i hit spots like this. i need to have faith that God will take care of me. now just comes the waiting game and a lot of patience for me to grow and mature as a business. but hey! i’m in it to win it. i’m passionate about this and i’m not going anywhere. besides, this is not about the money for me. it’s about capturing life’s awesome moments to relive over and over.
i need to start focusing more on the blessings God gives me instead of worrying about the clients that got away. i know that everything happens for a reason, so if those clients didn’t want to use my services, it was for the best. i truly have been blessed with great clients this year. all of my brides have been beyond amazing. they were chill and awesome and super sweet. seriously, i need to stop fretting. God will take care of me and my business as long as i keep things based on Him. everything will be okay and will happen the way he has planned. i just need to BREATHE! haha.
wow! this post has been really therapeutic for me. i guess it really was like a journal entry haha. thanks for listening to my little moment of crisis. i appreciate it. :) but seriously, feel free to pray for me. this is not an easy journey, but i know it’s what God wants so i’m ready for the adventure.
happy tuesday everyone. if you feel like giving up, don’t. fighting for something makes you appreciate it more than if you just got it handed to you. keep the faith, loves!
believe ♥
LOVE this movie and quote. so true! :)
First things first: Don”t get discouraged!!! My parents and I started our business about 5 years ago, and dealt with the same thing. We wanted to be affordable, because we know exactly what it is like to be on a budget. And we did have some clients that didn’t appreciate that and thought we must not be experienced enough. (we are kind of on hiatus due to full time jobs and busy children) We also had a lot of people that expected extremely cheap sessions and prints or free. That was disheartening and stressful. Once it got to that point it lost a lot of the fun. Now we photograph for fun. Kind of a break.
Don’t let it get you down, you are very talented and I love checking out your blog. It will come, the more you build your portfolio the more people will be able to see how very talented you are, even if you are affordable! And if you don’t sell every client, it’s not that you don’t take amazing photos, it may just be that The session wasn’t meant to be. My biggest piece of advice would be believe in yourself and the gift God has given you!
Relax. Careers take time. Most young people get the joys of being beautiful like you look to be, but also have the challenges that come from finding their way in the world.
I’m in Jacksonville visiting family, and one member I see down here switched to full time photography a couple of years ago. I will ask him for tips.
Be creative. Look for successful photographers in other cities who won’t be competing with you and email them asking them for advice.
I always enjoy your posts and photos, and would love to see you financially rewarded. Keep in mind this economy is tough for a lot of people, so bargain shopping is going strong in just about every field. Cheers, V.A.!
EVERY photographer goes through the exact thing you’re going through right now. Just stick with it – I promise you’ll turn the corner!!!