I LOVED this first year photographing adventurous weddings and engagement sessions. What I didn’t realize was how much I was going to also love becoming a business owner. I have learned soooo much in such a short period of time, you know those summer college courses when they jam a whole years worth of classes into 3 insane months. It has been a happily self afflicted “drinking from a hose” feeling because once I started I couldn’t stop because I would get so dang excited. And though I learned a lot about marketing, bookkeeping, editing, etc. I think ultimately I learned so much more about myself.

The best thing I can equate starting a business to is marriage. People can tell you all about it and you can create an idea in your mind of what it will be like, but you still really have NO IDEA what you’re getting into. But it is one heck of an awesome adventure. And all true adventures mean….growth. So, though I could never truly summarize all the feelings, challenges, introspection, excitement, that is the first year of starting a business, here is a little glimpse of what this journey has looked like.

No one cares

That sounds harsh but what I mean is no one will ever (or can ever) care about your business the way you do! It is your BABY. Seriously, I spend 95% of my everyday thoughts thinking about the business. Because, it’s exhilarating. For me. I could talk you ear off about every little aspect of this journey and my dreams. But my dreams are for me, and I don’t need other people to accept them, understand them, or jump up and down and get excited about them like I do. What I’m doing has to be enough for just me.

The market isn’t too saturated

It’s just a lie. About any and every market. If we start to believe that we’ll stop creating - music, recipes, buildings, books, art. That’s what is so freakin beautiful about everyone being different. There is ALWAYS room for you. I know it’s trite but there really is only one you. And no one can do what you can do the way you can do it. There are so many amazing photographers, and they can create beautiful images for you. But, they can’t be me.

Just Start

Stop researching, stop asking peoples opinion, stop waiting. Just pick one tangible step. Do that. Make a decision and move forward. It’s not always about making the best, and perfect choice. Sometime you just gotta start and grow from there. It’s okay if you can only afford used gear. Other people have the same exact questions. You don’t need more experience, you’ll get it along the way. It’s easy to convince yourself that you can’t do it, but the best thing to do is just start somewhere it then it begins to snowball.

DIY vs. Investing

There is a period of both, learn when to take the time to teach yourself something and when it’s safer to outsource. This first year I did my own bookkeeping but when it came to taxes, I hired someone I trusted. Especially in the begging when you don’t have a lot of money to put into the business you have to figure out how to do some things on your own, (even if it means crying somethings…hello trying to build a freaking website) but other times there is too much risk or the time you’ll spend trying to figure it out will cost you more in the long run.

You Are Worth It

Chasing big scary dreams come with a lot of doubt. A. Lot. Of. Doubt. But sometimes it’s not about succeeding, but at least trying. We count ourselves out so many more times then we actually fail and that makes me so dang sad. However it is a consistent battle to continually believe that you must honor yourself by trying.

You’ll Never Be Where You Want To Be

And that’s the right place to be in. Keep dreaming bigger.

Taxes Aren’t That Hard

So really, the logistical side of things, taxes, editing images, learning how to market yourself, setting up an LLC, all of that isn’t really that difficult. That’s not why people say starting/running a business is hard. It’s hard when you can’t go to bed with your husband because you have to finish editing. It’s hard when you have to willing say no to hanging out with friends so you can sit by yourself behind your computer until your eyeballs hurt. It’s hard to recognize the small steps as valuable. It’s hard to learn and accept what you really suck at and what your personality “flaws” are. It’s hard to believe you are worth it and that you can be successful. That’s why it’s not for the faint of heart.

I’m So Happy

I am never more giddy then when I arrive in a new country. Traveling is in my bones and I can’t really explain wanderlust unless you have experienced it and know it. That feeling of joy, adrenaline, uncertainty, and curiosity…that’s what it feels like to create this dream into reality. I FREAKING LOVE IT. Every bit of it. Having a reason to get out of bed, creating something out of nothing, learning about myself, getting that email or text back after I deliver a clients gallery, knowing that I am intentionally creating the life I want after believing it wasn’t possible. Worth it.