These days I’m incredibly disheartened by the photography industry…I’m tired of bullies and haters. I’m tired of toxic friends who feel like they need to compete with me or constantly try to one up my business successes with theirs. Don’t we all have friends like that? I’m sick of feeling like I should be featured on every blog, shooting destination weddings, raising prices, re-branding, marketing to specific types of clients (you know…the ones who love fashion, shop at certain stores, and love Starbucks. Is it me, or is every photographer in love with Starbucks??), and shooting 50 bajillion weddings every year. I’m done with comparison, industry rock stars (and their groupies), wanting people to like me, and being concerned with how many likes I have on Facebook or how pretty my clients weddings will be.

I’m over it…ALL of it.

I became a wedding photographer because I wanted to make a living doing something that I truly enjoyed. I wanted to photograph weddings for people that I cared about and then go home and eat tacos on the couch and dance in the kitchen with my goofy husband and our cat. I didn’t start my business to have people admire my pretty website or be envious of all the weddings I booked. I wasn’t interested in fame or really even fortune. I wanted a career that would allow me to have a life, not a life that was ruled by a career.

(Because this post is a little heavy…here is a picture of a cat to lighten the mood!)

The other day I realized that if I counted up all of the time I spend worrying about other people (what they think, what they’re doing, if they like me, if so and so is copying me, if they think I copied them, etc) I would probably have a million years on my hands. Okay, maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but seriously…have you ever stopped to think about how much time you waste on worrying about what others are doing or saying? When I first started my business, I was proud of my little accomplishments and constantly motivated to keep learning and growing. Every new thing I learned was a little victory that I allowed myself to celebrate and get excited about. I wasn’t stressing out about stupid things. I was building relationships with my clients, taking pictures for them, and living my life unaware of the everyday drama of the photography world.

I think for me this Fall season is SO welcome because it symbolizes a fresh start…a new beginning. For me, the cooler weather and pumpkin flavored everything mean that it’s time to get back to basics. It’s time to remember why I became a photographer and focus on those things…to work on improving my craft, to simplify my life and enjoy each day as it comes. I’d love to encourage you guys to do the same! Clear out the clutter in your life and make room for all of the wonderful things (like tacos, Gangnam style in the kitchen,twerking, and sweaters and apple cider)!