Just the start

I guess the thing that gets me about creative media is that it is such a lucrative business, should you want it to be. The videography, photography, and graphic design aspects have so many other outlets that could potentially bring in revenue if people are willing to branch out from the obvious; yet, so many people come and go because of trends. To be an entrepreneur and to be self-employed is a widely-held goal, whether people care to admit it or not, but when people begin a business, and specifically a business like photography, they seemingly don’t do it because they’re good at it, but because others are displaying success within their own photography business. It’s like people have a sign that reads, “Here’s the bandwagon—hop on.”

Having worked a traditional, corporate 9-5 (more like 6-4) for the last four years, I understand why one would desire to be their own boss. However, unlike others—and strangely enough—I value the structure that a 9-5 gives me. I enjoy being able to disconnect, albeit only partially, from my work when I leave for the day. What I think a lot of self-employed individuals miss out on is that disconnect, but I believe that certain individuals use that inability to disconnect, and essentially turn it around in order to be the best customer service/marketing/PR manager that they can be—take my boyfriend, for example.

Some of you may know my boyfriend as Chef. He’s been incredibly successful in his business as a creator over the last 7ish years, and what makes him so good at his job is that he has people skills out-the-ass. I don’t mean “people skills” like you put on your resume because “Advanced in MS Office” just doesn’t seem to be enough in the skills department. He has a heart for people like I’ve never seen, so when he runs into clients at the grocery store, at the opthamologist, at the dog park, or even 500 miles away (seriously), he LOVES it. His work never stops.

So why, then, if I love my “normal”, corportate job, would I want to get into something like this business? A couple of reasons, to start.

Number 1 — I have always loved art, photography included. So, as unfortunate as it was for my bank account, I purchased a very expensive camera that does not pay rent and takes up space on my desk. Rent is silly high, and that thing has to start pulling its own weight.

Number 2 — I used to do this, and I used to LOVE it. I’ve watched new photographers get a demo on how to interact with couples, how to pose them, and its painful for me to not interject because I’ve been there before. I guess it’s different strokes for different folks. I just thoroughly enjoy being able to help people feel confident in front of a camera, and then send them home with some pictures that they can look back on and enjoy. Having those memories are priceless.

But anyways! Now I’m here, writing an excessively long blog post as to why I want to take pictures of people. In summary: I like people, I like taking pictures, and I like to make people happy with pictures. A hobby, if you will.