I dare you...

So I know at the beginning of the year we were all, and possibly still are, excited about making changes in our lives. Whether these changes were personal, business related, health related, ect.. we were all so excited and focused. I know I was, and I still am. It may seem too early in the year to need a pep talk, or rather a little push, but oh well.

I have seen so many photographers wanting to re-brand their business and go into a different direction, myself included, and I think it's wonderful. One thing I have noticed is there is so much fear when it comes to change, in any circumstance. I recently attended a workshop where we dug deep into the business aspect of photography and what I had learned was so much more than just business. We dug deep into why we exist and what our purpose is, and why are we not being portrayed in that way through our business. We get so caught up in what is so and so doing, the technicalities, and the other bs that goes on in the photography industry that at some point we lose ourselves and why we starting doing photography in the first place. It is so easy to find ourselves comparing our work to others or second guessing ourselves because someone said our work was too expensive. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't something I struggle with all the time. It just happens. It is in our nature to look around us for acceptance, and that we are doing good. In the photography world this comes in the form of looking at others work and making a judgement. This judgement being- I feel I am as good as that, I must be doing good- OR- My work lacks something that this work has, I must be doing something wrong or not doing something at all. Now don't get me wrong, this is not something that constantly goes through my head, there are just those moments when I see a picture and I want what it has. Part of that is good, it keeps us going and wanting to progress and learn more. The negative impact, obviously, is self doubt.

The way I have found best to stay out of this trap of self doubt was to first off, change my way of thinking. There will always be artists and photos that you feel are "better" than yours. I say "better" in parenthesis because this is an art and in all reality its however we interpret it.. but from a business standpoint there is such thing as "better". We have all heard the saying.. "the only photographer you should compare yourself to is you".. or something like that.. Which is very good advice. When you have one of those days where you feel like your work sucks (you know what I'm talking about.. we all have them every once in a while..) go back and look at your work from when you very first started, you will instantly feel better. Get past the self doubt! Get past looking at other peoples work as a gauge for your worth or level of achievement.

So here comes the "I dare You" part. Go make a before and after from when you first started and a pic from now, just so you can see how far you have come. Get past the self doubt. Then, for whatever changes you are making in your business.. whether is be re-branding, changing pricing, specializing, or any of that scary stuff- DO it. Take the leap. There are so many wonderful resources in the amazing industry that are here to help people that aren't quite sure how to make that first step when it comes to re-branding or whatever it is they want to do. Reach out! I know there are tons of nice photographers that just want to help, myself included! I have been fortunate to have met some amazing people in my career that have helped take me from knowing little about my own self worth, to opening a studio and finding what it is I love so much about photography again. And I am definitely still learning and growing. Reach out. Build connections. Find the tools and people that can help you achieve your goals. I dare you.