This week I have been inspired by education. I went to another workshop on Wednesday night and felt a fire in my belly regarding how I can better myself and my business for all of my clients to be completely fulfilled after a photography session with me.
When I look back at photographs I took years ago sometimes I cringe. This is because I can now see the little details I never used to such as the lighting may have been slightly off or a person unwanted was evident in the background. Keeping in mind that the clients who received the photographs were thrilled with their portraits as was I when I produced the final images. But this just shows me how much I have grown over the years and how much better I am becoming.
You see, as a photographer I truly believe that you never stop learning and growing. I am confident that there will never be a day that I say "I don't need to be better, I am the best I will ever be".
This year I have already spent thousands of dollars on workshops and education informing me more on marketing, sales, posing, finance and so much more. In September I am flying to Brisbane to attend the annual baby summit, a 3-day conference on newborn, baby, and family photography hosted and presented by world-renowned professional photographers. No doubt I will walk away from this experience with more knowledge and ideas than ever before.
I continuously hear from my mentors to work smarter, not harder. Because as a business owner, everything that I do, I do with 100% conviction and am fully invested in. This sometimes means I work far more than 40 hrs a week. I do "free" shoots for family and close friends and I edit for hours on end on one project I end up making a loss at the end of the day.
Now I have recently married the thought of starting a family in the future is something that is constantly on my mind. I know that something will have to change to be a successful business owner, wife, and mother. As we all know time is precious and perhaps instead of spending hours on marketing and editing myself, I should invest in hiring someone who has been working in that particular field for years and specialises in these areas, so I then have more time to shoot and do the things I love within my business and to be honest I will probably get better results in the end.
Food for thought I guess. If all this education has taught me one thing it is self-worth and confidence. I know that I have grown into a successful professional photographer who deserves to make a healthy income, travel when I want to, and spend time with my family when I need to.
You also deserve all these things. No matter what you do for a living you deserve to live life on your terms and to enjoy it to its fullest!
Much love, Stace x
