I am at a crossroads and would really appreciate prayer from those of you that do. I totally LOVE photography. I usually am not far from my camera and have literally thousands of pictures. It is hard for me to pinpoint just one interest. I love to take pictures of everything so finding a style or a specialty is hard.
The problem/blessing is that I have supportive parents that have been pushing me to start a business. I would absolutely love it if I felt I was ready and/or good enough. I am still learning and just got editing tools. However, they have purchased lighting, backdrops, editing software, etc. in hopes that I will start NOW! I am in the process of taking pictures while I build a portfolio. However,since I am not sure of a style or specialty, it is hard to choose how to proceed. Additionally, I do not want to promise a client something I cannot deliver.
I so appreciated Ashley for starting this group so that I could learn from all of you and to have contact with "real" lady photographers. I would love feedback from any of you that have taken the step into photography as a business as well as prayers to know exacty what the LORD would have me to do. I have been guilty of living my life my way for so long. I am tired of doing things that are expected or because it is where I feel the most comfortable(although I really do enjoy comfort!) Originally, I felt that this is my gift and I was being led down this path. However, the last few months have been very stressful to the point I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and say I quit. I am not sure if it is fear or if it is a sign that I outstepped the Lord's path for me. So, I am requesting prayer.I am finishing a edit of a friends's headshots that she needs for her business then I am stepping away for a week of prayer. I need to know how to proceed from here.
I apologize for my wordiness and thank you in advance for your prayers.
Becca
The problem/blessing is that I have supportive parents that have been pushing me to start a business. I would absolutely love it if I felt I was ready and/or good enough. I am still learning and just got editing tools. However, they have purchased lighting, backdrops, editing software, etc. in hopes that I will start NOW! I am in the process of taking pictures while I build a portfolio. However,since I am not sure of a style or specialty, it is hard to choose how to proceed. Additionally, I do not want to promise a client something I cannot deliver.
I so appreciated Ashley for starting this group so that I could learn from all of you and to have contact with "real" lady photographers. I would love feedback from any of you that have taken the step into photography as a business as well as prayers to know exacty what the LORD would have me to do. I have been guilty of living my life my way for so long. I am tired of doing things that are expected or because it is where I feel the most comfortable(although I really do enjoy comfort!) Originally, I felt that this is my gift and I was being led down this path. However, the last few months have been very stressful to the point I wanted to throw my hands up in the air and say I quit. I am not sure if it is fear or if it is a sign that I outstepped the Lord's path for me. So, I am requesting prayer.I am finishing a edit of a friends's headshots that she needs for her business then I am stepping away for a week of prayer. I need to know how to proceed from here.
I apologize for my wordiness and thank you in advance for your prayers.
Becca
I totally get where you are coming from...will be praying for you :)
ReplyDeleteI understand!!! I can pray for you!
ReplyDeleteI have been in this same spot many times - but, mine is with managing my time: not spending too much time at photography over my 5 children and other mommy duties! I have been ready to call it quits more than once - but, most of all, like you I want to make sure I am on the path my Heavenly Father wants me on!!!
pray for me too :) please!
Thank you ladies! I am struggling with that as well. I do not want to put photography in front of being a mother.Dianeb, I will pray for you too. Time management is essential and it can easily get you off of the right path if you make the wrong choices. I will pray that you get the balance that will keep you on the path that our Heavenly Father has just for you.
ReplyDeleteCan I request prayer too?...feeling like calling it quits. I am finding it hard to figure out how to handle family situations and my business...and people who are family of family (not related to me). I don't think they understand how much time and effort I put into my work and why my prices are as they are, but I also don't want to go into detail either because that doesn't seem right either...it has become a huge stress in my life :(
ReplyDeleteBeginning to wonder if it is worth it...I have really been praying these last few weeks and I really just do not know what to do :(
Prayers are sincerely appreciated...thanks so much.
Lisa-I am praying for you too. I understand your frustration. When others question your decisions, it is hard to know if you should explain or just let things stand. We all want to feel validated.
ReplyDeleteI have decided to choose two people from the group each day to pray for during my quiet time. However, I will add you to my regular "daily" list until you let me know that you feel that you are on the track that you feel YOU are supposed to be on. One little word of advice that I recieved from a friend this week that may help you too is that "What you do is valuable. It is honorable to have a trade. Your time,etc. is valuable and has a price. If others do not value that price, dust your feet and move on. They can choose to use your service or move on to another that will provide the price that they are willing to pay. Don't take it personal. (I still find that part hard)" My friend has a MK business and at first she kept giving discounts to all friends and only charging full price to associates or strangers. She was cutting herself short. Once she started treating her business as a business (Deciding that she could offer sales etc. but Wal-mart, ETC. did not discount to family and friends so why should she keep doing it)She said that ironically her business has taken off. I believe Ashley has shared with you that she had the same results as well.
I am still stuggling and praying. However, I have decided for myself this week I will continue to do my photography class finish some edits on some projects I am working on but put "starting business" on hold. I am doing a lot of praying and working things out this week. I also started study on the Proverbs 31 woman (3rd time but hopefully this time it will "take" more )I feel that I got off focus. I know the Lord will lead me but first I have to focus on HIM.
Praying for you and the rest..
Becca...your words brought tears to my eyes and comfort to me. I really appreciate it...I am going to print out what your friend said and re-read it often! You are right...we do have to focus on Him first...I am doing a small group in my home through our church and in the past three weeks this has been the main thing we have been learning to do and my eyes have really been open. Sometimes I just have to be reminded and I feel God continually reminding me here and in that group and on a daily basis. Will continue to pray for us too...all the best, Lisa
ReplyDeleteLisa..I am glad that you found comfort. I hope that in all this you will get the answers you need.
ReplyDeleteHi Becca,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to follow up with you on this...I really did print out what you said and taped to the wall by my desk. I just re-read it and wanted to come back here to say "thank you"...your prayers mean the word to me...I had a session a week or so after we wrote these above and I have to tell you that I felt the most peace I have ever felt on a shoot. And its pretty ironic because it was one of the worst shoots we have had! The weather was really bad (cold and grey), the kids were miserable...but I had that "peace that passes understanding" and I know it came directly from God. I don't know that all my business decisions are the best, but I do know that I love photography...and even if I end up just taking portraits of my daughter for the rest of my life, I will be happy. God has me in His hands and I will be right where I should be if I follow where he leads. So thanks again :)
Lisa, I am glad that you find help in what I sent. It was help/words of wisdom I received from others. You also received them from Ashley. You just needed another reminder is all. I am glad to know that God is working in your life. Keep leaning on HIM and things will work out the way the Lord intends. Your work is beautiful. Just keep plugging. I will continue to pray for you!
ReplyDelete