Why Photography?
As humans, we are wired for purpose and storytelling. Why we do anything is a huge part of our success in any endeavor, especially in business. I am here to share with you a dose of inspiration you can apply immediately to your own creative endeavors!
So, are you itching to dust off that old Canon camera you bought six years ago when you had a burst of creative inspiration or went on that exotic trip to Costa Rica? Or perhaps you are stuck in a job you cannot stand and want only to chase your creative passions.
Hey, trust me, I get it! Why? Because I did that very thing this past year. I left my 9-5 job, and what started as a way to make some money while I scrambled to figure out my next step turned into one of the best “by mistake” gifts I could receive. In this article I want to share with you:
My "Why"Why we all have to start somewhere, even if that somewhere is right where you are standing, like in an old storage unit (hint: it almost always is right where you are standing not necessarily the old storage unit part…)A few words of encouragement to help you take the leap in your own creative passions!
So let’s do it!
The Big Scary and Hairy Leap
In March, I left what most would describe as a lucrative job as a project manager at a manufacturing firm. It was my first job out of college and I worked my way up the chain into a six-figure income, a sweet gig working remote after COVID, and no struggle to save for my financial future. In other words, I was living the “American Dream.”
So why did I leave you might ask? In short, it was not only “just time”, I knew I had a ton of creative energy I wanted to share with the world in a way I could not fully do unless I threw myself completely behind it. As well, in 2023, I had started my own podcast and you know how they say “oh you have the travel bug”. Boy, did I have the podcast bug! I was absolutely hooked on sharing my creative voice with anyone who would listen and in any way I could. So, I took societal expectations, threw them out the door (scary, right?) and took the leap!
But into what?
And that I did not know. I just knew I had to get my podcast re-started, express myself, and lean into my ever-present enthusiasm for a challenge (hence the name of my newsletter, The Challenge Enthusiast). This is where photography comes in. It’s a bit of an unlikely story.
The Story
In August, after a few months of treating myself to some “Eat-Pray-Love” travel to Portugal, I returned home with little money and needing to find a way to make an income. I knew I could leverage my expertise as a project manager and thirteen years of turning visions into reality, and starting my own branded podcast, into something but I still was not sure exactly sure where to direct my energies. It was not until one chance night taking photographs of my mom after dinner that I found my path. She off-handidly said “you’ve’ always had an eye for composition”, as she pointed wearily to an old photo I took of her with my dad and grandmother some twenty-plus years ago. And look, I know most of our moms are “supposed to be our best cheerleader”, so why take this totally seriously right? But it at least led me to think, “hey what if I could take photographs, and get paid for it, while I get my podcast off the ground?” Logical, right? So, I headed over to my storage unit in 95 degree New Orleans weather, traversed through jungle-like rows of rusted chairs and trodden-down pillows, sifting through dumpy boxes, until there it was, My Canon EOS Rebel T6i camera I had bought six years ago to shoot whales (whales?) in Alaska.
Chasing Whales in Juneau, Alaska, 2016
And the rest is history. No just kidding.
So what did I do once I found my camera? I started taking photographs. I took photographs of anything. And when I say anything, I mean ANYTHING. Like this old tire. Cringe. I worked for free when I could, including late-night shows for a singer, an improv artist, and snapping family photos, all in an effort to build my portfolio. I woke up at 5 am to catch sunrises, and went to bed well beyond midnight the same day. I hustled, hustled, hustled. During this time, I had little more than blind optimism and most certainly knew nothing about shooting with a professional or even hobbyist camera. I just knew I had an eye for composition and I enjoyed connecting with people. So, I eagerly consumed online tutorials, found mentors, and started building my online presence.
And I am not done. I am still very much building, as most entrepreneurs always are, but let me tell you something, I am finding success and the results are exciting! I have had the opportunity to work with some already amazing [and paid!] clients, including the cast of Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical and Clue: On Stage at Jefferson Performing Arts, increased my brand awareness with a promotional video created by the ever-inspiring Jessica Mixton at Triple-Threat-Media, grown my Instagram following by 20% this past month, and started taking photographs like this! A far cry from my tire days.
Promotional Photoshoot for Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
“And what is better yet? I found my WHY. What started as a way for me to make money, has become so much more. It has turned out to be the finest gift I could receive — a way to get to know myself, connect with the world, and to connect with people, in a way I’ve always craved. In a way that is healing and whole.”
A Final Word
So, at this point, you might be asking, how did you even get your first paid client? Read on to my next article The Three Key Tools to Building Your Confidence Early On to learn more! But first, let me say this.
Number One
If you even think you have a creative gift to share with the world, do not ignore this hunch. I am not saying you have to completely ditch the 9-5 schedule like I did, at least not right away (more on that later), but I am saying you will not regret it.
Go all of the way. Make it yours and do not look back. The world needs whatever is churning inside you. It needs your personal why. Your purpose. Especially now amidst so much hardship and complexity in our world. Art and creativity is a healing force. It always has been and always will be as long as we have brave enough souls out there, just like you, to bring your dreams into existence.
Number Two
Reflect on your own why. We should all be thinking, what is the WHY that guides me? What are the values that inform my decisions? Why do I get up in the morning? How can I serve others with my passion? I emphasize this because it a key component to attracting clients. As Simon Sinek says, “[Your why is] what makes your endeavor resonate with others on an emotional level. It creates a compelling vision that others are drawn to, not because they have to, but because they want to be part of something greater.”
Number Three
And finally number three, enjoy the process, have fun, and expect setbacks. It is all part of the creative process! As a personal note, I am still 100% in a place of hustle - of having some success, then a setback, then more success. But, I can say this. I go to bed every single night excited to wake up and turn my vision into a reality. And that is something, gosh forbid the world ended tomorrow, I will take with me to my grave, knowing I gave all of myself to the gift that is my creative self. And, that my friends, is always worth fighting for.
Go get em’! We’re here to catch you if you fall.
