Last weekend I hit a milestone – one full year since I left my day job to work as a full time photographer. One year. One busy year. One year full of change, and hope, and doubt, and successes, and learning, and growing. One full year. I am still pinching myself almost every day as I think about how lucky I am to have this life, have this passion, and spend my days focusing on my business and my love of photography.
I’ve spent some time thinking about what I might write in this blog post. I could write about how crazy the year has been as I learned a new normal. I could go into depth about the growth of my business over the past twelve months, or about the struggles and successes I’ve faced and found. But more than all of that, something bigger has developed over this past year. Something that was missing, something that was necessary. When I attended the What’s Next Workshop with Justin and Mary in New York City in January, they asked us what our “why” is. Why do we get up every morning and work long days managing the many aspects of our photography businesses? Why do we want to quit our jobs and do this full time? Why do we do this at all? This resonated with me, and has been on my mind ever since. This post is about my why.
When I was first asked why I run photography business, the answer was simple – “I love to take photos. I love learning how to use my camera. I love my clients. I love light. I love color. I love emotion. I. I. I.” Then one day I realized something huge, something obvious, but something huge. It is not about me at all. It is all about you. You are my why. I take photos because I get to capture your life. I take photos so you can see how beautiful you looked as you walked down the aisle. I take photos so you can see how hard your grandfather was laughing during your dad’s toast on your wedding day. I take photos so you can see how your children looked when they were infants, toddlers, and teenagers. I take photos so you can see the passion in your eyes when you looked at your fiance during your engagement session. I take photos so that you can remember your favorite places. I take photos so you can showcase your art, your businesses, your hard work. I take photos so that in 50 years, you can sit on your couch with all that you have created around you, and look at albums of photographs that tell your story.
My “why” is you. Words cannot begin to express the gratitude I have to all of you who have allowed me into your lives to tell your story. This past year has been the hardest, and most rewarding year of my life, and for that I am so incredibly grateful to all of you, and to your stories. I can’t wait to see what is yet to come, and share all of it with all of you.
Finally, to say thank you, I am hosting a little giveaway! All you need to to is leave a comment here, letting me know what your biggest accomplishment has been over the past year. Make sure to leave your comment by noon, eastern time, tomorrow, Friday, May 17th, and I will randomly pick one winner tomorrow afternoon to win a free 8×10 canvas with either one of my scenic prints, or an image from your personal gallery.
Thank you for making this one amazing year. I love you guys.
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