I have had a love of photography for a long time. I can vividly remember telling some friends how much I would love to be a children’s and family photographer here in Dallas. I can remember how I was no where near good enough to actually take money for my work. I can also remember working towards my dreams. I can remember setting up all my business ducks in a row (long before I ever actually opened for business – seriously I did that the May before I really started). I remember setting the date of January 1st, 2011 to actually start calling myself a photographer. (It took me another year and a half to start using the term and another 6 months to feel a little more comfortable to say it without a hint of scared eyebrow raising)
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tip #1
learn all you can but don’t let the interwebs break your spirit
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When I first started I dove head first into the online communities of photographers. I spend hours upon hours learning all I could. I remember a few forums where people were extremely harsh to others (I know now why). And I remember a few communities like I Heart Faces where I met some of my favorite local photographers and online photographers who were actually helpful in learning. I spent so much time learning and comparing myself to these other people who seemed to have it all. And that is just what I wanted. It all.
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tip #2
stop comparing yourself, your life, your photography skills to others who you see on the internet
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I started to grow in my work. (I am still growing and have a LONG, LONG, LONG way to go) I started to really know my camera, my lenses, my computer, and how they all worked together. But still even then looking online and on Facebook I just never quite measured up to some of the photographers who I followed. Some, whose work I adored early on, I realized I didn’t like anymore. I mean at some point oversmoothing in photoshop is just too much. And some just seemed to be creating their own work but not really showing that they were running a business. Well, an-able-to-feed-your-family-on-your-work type business. So about a year ago I stopped following anyone who seemed to phone it in for the internet. And that was great! I kept following those who I thought were more genuine people. My work grew too. I had heard the quote…
“the only photographer who you should compare yourself to is the one you used to be.”
I loved it. As a quote person it really spoke to me. But still with all of the photographers I follow on facebook it was hard not to compare. I mean some of these peoples work is amazing. I mean how in the world do they have the perfectly clean houses to take perfect photos of their kids, while running a business, while feeding their families, all while still being present in their families lives? I mean my laundry pile this last season was awful, thank goodness for an upstairs laundry room. So this year I am letting go of perfect. Because I am learning that no matter how someone tries to make themselves seem online, it isn’t always how they really are and no one really knows if they have a huge pile of laundry about 5 inches out of the frame.
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tip# 3
let go of the perfect image in your head of the perfect image.
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What I know is that I love my clients. I love photographing them. I will continue to work on my photography daily because it is my love. I also love my family. I will work harder at being more present with them. Though I will still photograph them like their own personal paparazzi photographer. I am just letting go of the perfect. My life isn’t perfect. My house isn’t perfect. My photographs sure aren’t perfect. But I am good enough. And I am beyond grateful for everything.
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I wanted to share a few of my very not perfect photographs of my absolutely perfect New Year’s Eve Pajama Party with my babies. And husband who was beside me 🙂
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