Here we go. I am ready to give it to you straight up. To tell you the truth, when I started my business, I was ( totally still am) HOT mess. I was always misspelling business wrong, messing up the order of the S and I…. lol awkward right. Not to mention that I had NO idea what camera I was using other than the fact that it was Canon. I also never could memorize the numbers of lenses, so I would say the long zoomy one vs the one that doesn’t zoom. To give you a little background, I started my photography as a sophomore in high school. It was completely spur of the moment, I never had a longing passion for it before. Within 3 hours I picked up a camera, called a friend over for the shoot, and decided I am going to do this more often. So yeah, there’s my long inspirational story.

I was a 15 year old that had no idea what I was getting into. I was using random editing softwares, relying on 30 day free trials, and putting in fake emails often. I had no idea how to use my camera, don’t get me wrong I spent hours on my numb butt You Tubing videos. Despite those long hours I still had no idea what I was doing. Good lighting, what even is that? Time went by, and it wasn’t till my 3rd year doing photography did I start really picking up the pace and investing in education, equipment, etc. It wasn’t a smooth ride, and it still isn’t, but I am sharing with you 4 truths about how it was when I started my photography business.

Truth 1 : Learning takes time.

Kudos to you if you go straight into the photography business taking photos on manual and knowing everything. But if you’re anything like me manual was the scariest thing ever. It actually took courage for me to even start using it. I felt like it was going to be so much stress, and I was going to have less control over my camera. Little did I know it is AMAZING, and I actually have more control over the result of my images.

It wasn’t till three years into doing this, that I started to use manual. It wasn’t till about 5 months in of photographing did I realize I need Light room. It wasn’t till two months ago did I realize the importance of using Pinterest.  The point is learning takes time, it’s a beautiful sometimes long process. Little by little you absorb new information that improves your business. Learn on your own clock, Don’t feel that you have to cram YEARS of knowledge and experiences into months, weeks, or even days.  Because we all learn differently, so do what’s best for you.

Truth 2 : Trying to be like someone else gets you no where.

When you’re starting out you’re going to look up to people. You’re going to want what they have, want to do what they do, and just wish you could be like them. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you will not get anywhere by focusing on someone else while you’re trying to grow your own identity.

The truth of the matter is that trying to be like someone else will not move your business. Not nearly enough as just being 100% yourself! The leverage you have over everyone else in this world is……. that no one, I mean NO ONE is just like you. Oh sure there are people who you relate to, there are people who you feel are just like you. BUT no one has your story. I believe that your business will improve the most when you are just being true to yourself and your story. So make sure you are being true to who you are when you are building your business.

Truth 3: Hustle is good, but so is mental health.

I see you. Hustling to make your business successful. Your business is your baby, I completely understand why you spend hours behind a computer ( because I do that too). I get why you are up all hours of the night trying to make ends meet.. I’ve been there. It’s a thrill, at times it doesn’t even feel like work because you are inspired and fueled with energy. You’re enjoying yourself! sound about right?! But work is still work. All those hours hustling also means those are hours you gave something else up. As much as I want to see you succeed, I also want you to be happy! You are allowed to step away from those deadlines you put on yourself and that long to do list.

I want you to take time to do something you enjoy…. and your business doesn’t count! Go for lunch with family, enjoy yourself by watching a movie, whatever it is make time for it! There’s 24 hours in the day, please use some of it for yourself.

Truth 4: The haters don’t matter.

If you’re like me, starting a business can be weird. For me it was just weird because it was out of the blue. Something along the lines of  “oh you have a fancy camera, and suddenly you’re a photographer?”. Basically, yes I am. You get weird vibes from people who are wondering, what the heck are you doing. Guess what do it anyways, they don’t matter.

Surround yourself with people who will be your support system. They don’t have to understand what exactly it is you do, they just are there to lean on. I have surrounded myself with family and friends that are there for me when I get a rude text telling me to stop taking pictures because I am embarrassing myself. That comment literally made me want to quit. But then I didn’t, because my support system picked me up and reminded me that I am here for a reason. And so are you, so let the people in your life have a voice not the random internet trolls.