Giving yourself a break & a little bit of grace | The truth behind entrepreneurship and being a wedding photographer
As the holidays are slowly creeping up on us I felt this would be the perfect time to speak to new entrepreneurs and photographers. Maybe you have been in business for years and the mom guilt or the burnout thoughts have entered into your head. I’ve seen so many fall mini session postings and know it’s that time of year! The time of year photographers have a love/hate relationship with. I’m with you and totally understand, we are all in this together!
Most days you will find me behind my computer staring at beautiful wedding photos; culling, editing, staring….. the hustle is real! I remember before I had Paisley I would get up through out an 8 hour day to use the restroom and to refill my cup of coffee. I would forget to eat lunch, to clean, to do everyday normal things. Rob would get home and find me right where he left me, behind the computer screen. It was sad really, that was life for me and somehow the norm. As wedding photographers we find ourselves stuck. Stuck behind a screen of either our desktop editing our lives away or our phones staring at beautifully curated instagram feeds wishing and hoping that one day we can be at a certain point in our business. Dreaming and hoping that if we push hard enough maybe we can get there. How far are we willing to go to get “there”, to the place our hopes and dreams are. I have had so many photographers come to me asking how, how do I get there and how long will it take. I’ve had multiple conversations with friends in the industry about life, business, and when does too much become enough? A lot of entrepreneurs get burnt out. They see the dream and they push for so long but while trying to get to the top, they forget to live life. I was there not too long ago, just a few years back. I questioned my leaving the 9-5, cried for days praying that God just give me an answer to know what to do. I had the answer all along. I knew He gave me this passion, he gave me the talent to be able to capture in a single moment a bride with her groom. He gave me my calling and what a blessing it is to be able to serve and to do what I love on a daily basis.
I love how Natalie Franke puts it “Sleepless nights, overdue emails, client cancellations and rapidly approaching deadlines… We’ve all been there. Each year brings another onslaught of challenging situations to navigate, but rest easy in knowing that you will get better at handling the bumps in the road.” This is life for us as photographers. When the going gets tough I go back and look at the beautiful photos that Rob and I created, the emails from countless brides thanking us, the reviews that make us want to cry and some that have actually made me cry form the kind words they have all written. The photo below may not mean a lot to anyone else but to me that’s what brings the smiles, the tears, and all the heart eyes. That is why we do what we do. I was called to do this, God gave me a gift to give to others and I want to use it to the best of my ability. Sometimes we are lead in a direction that we dont understand, and all we can do is listen and trust. At times some people may not understand your life or your passion; why you cant grab coffee or lunch just because, why you can’t go to that bachelorette party because you have a session that weekend and you have already rescheduled twice because of the weather, why you can’t get drinks because you are backed up on three weddings and have another the next weekend! Dont beat yourself up, we have all been there. I’ve learned that friends in the industry can help enormously because they get it. They understand! I have one friend in particular that I can call, text, and she gets it. We have even talked about how we are only taking a certain number of weddings so that we can have a little bit of life back but she is my person. Finding your person can help so much!! Dont ever give up your dream because others dont get it or because you get burnt out. Maybe take a step back, slow down and re-evaluate how much time you are spending behind the screen. Find something else you love and do it! I have a passion for fitness, so I will try to go to a Pure Barre class or go upstairs and do a you-tube yoga video. Whatever it is you love, take a break from shooting and being behind the screen and do it. Find the time and give yourself a break and little bit of grace! You’ve got this, remember you are not alone in this! Be sure to check out The Rising Tide Society and find people that are willing to support you and are behind you 100% of the way.
My go to song when I am feeling lonely or just plain tired and not sure what to do…. this song has done wonders for our growth in this business and our trust in Him!
Oceans (Where my feet may fail)
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
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If you havent read Natalie Franks blog be sure to visit it, I love how raw and real she is about being your own boss.
