Well, it’s finally 2018 and I’m so ready for all this year is going to bring!

Something that I’ve been super excited about starting, and actually maintaining is a blog that doesn’t just showcase my clients weddings, or their sweet family sessions. One that also gives invaluable information for future clients, as well as photographers. This year is my year for mentoring, and guiding future brides to be!

As you may have noticed on social media, there are a lot of other photographers out there. In your own city, there might be about ten other creatives photographing the same genre of photography you’ve hoped to specialize in. What sets you a part from others? I’m a true believe in community over competition, but at the end of the day a client has a choice to either choose you, or choose another photographer. It can be easy to get wrapped up in what everyone else is doing, and how they’re running their business. Today’s featured blog post is all about being true to yourself in business.

Be yourself

But what does that mean? It means that who you are, is who you should represent. It’s the person that clients should meet, not a version of you that is trying to be someone else. Acting naturally will show your true character to potential clients, and allow them to get to know YOU.

Don’t worry, be happy!

Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing, gonna be all right! Wise words sung by Bob Marley are actually some words to to live by. Don’t worry. Be happy. I know there are times where that has been easier said than done, and I’ve had my fair share of worry and anxiety about one thing or another. However, the last two years I’ve made it my mission with my business, and my photography, to not worry about other people. I create art the way that I like, I’m doing it for my business and for my clients who booked me because they like my art too. My photography is not made for other photographers. If I sought to just produce work for other people, would I be making anything for myself, that I could truly be proud of? Where was my inspiration?

Be authentic

It means being genuine. You have a business, and you should set yourself a part from the crowd. You’re a photographer, and your style should be represented in your photography. Are you more modern, and prefer a sleek, clean look? Than don’t brand your business with rustic weddings, because that’s not representative of your brand.

Develop your own style

Going with what I mentioned above, you should be developing your own style. First, you need to find where you want to be. Do you like clean edits? Saturated or de-saturated colors? These are questions you should ask yourself. I’ve had a few different editing  styles over the years, but in the last 2 years I have truly developed a sense of my style, and what I like and dislike in edits and presets. With presets, it’s simply not a one and done deal. I tweak, and I make edits to my edit. All I want is to be my own artist, not lumped together in a group with everyone else. How will that make me stand out among the rest?

Trust your gut

The only person in the end who can make your choices for you, is you. Surrounding yourself with mentors, and people giving you advice in different avenues or your business and photography is so invaluable and important, but those people do not make you follow what they say. You have to take initiative and seek it out for yourself. If being yourself is what you should do, when meeting with clients, than you need to trust that they will love you for who you are, and find your personality to be welcoming and your presence kind. You won’t be a good fit for everyone, but I believe that as long as you are you, you will find some genuine clients who love your work, and the real you.