This photo is not a perfect picture taken with one of my new lenses. It’s an imperfect photo from a screen grab that I took on my phone when I posted my first Reel on my Friday’s Fotography Instagram page on March 20, 2022. I was definitely excited to announce I started a new business!!
My new business venture is photography, but I feel like the anxieties and self-doubt at changing careers or starting a new business for anyone my age, in any industry, can be enormous. After all, I’m about 10 years away from retirement age, so why embark on something so arduous at this stage in my life?
Most of my reasons for starting the business are personal, so I can’t share them all, but I will say that it wasn’t because I didn’t already have a job. I’ve worked for the same company since 1999, so job security isn’t an issue. I intend to continue working where I’m at with the new photography business being more “extra-curricular”. The question was and still is….has my long-term career been fulfilling? Are there other reasons to start a new business besides extra income or for tax purposes?
For me:
Fulfilling career? No.
Other reasons to start a business? Yes.
Why do I stay in my career if it’s not fulfilling? It’s because I’ve always had the flexibility to earn an income and still be there for my children. Not being allowed to attend my kid’s school parties or activities when they were growing up? That would have been a deal breaker for me in any career, but it’s very difficult to find a company that understands the needs parents have to not miss these opportunities and special occasions with their children. I have a woman boss and she has always understood my desire as a mother to be available to my girls. Even after my kids were grown and moved out of the house, I’ve had other people I’ve been able to care for such as my grandmother and parents, while still earning a decent income and having the flexibility to travel and not miss out on things with family.
I feel like the latitude I was allowed for all those years has made me loyal to my boss and her company, so I found fulfillment in other areas serving in my community with my kids and helping family members in need. Since my children have moved out and their needs have diminished, that fulfillment has waned.
Reasons to start a new business? Again, most are personal, but the need for a challenge and a desire to be in a type of service industry to spread some joy and love is what I was missing.
As the idea came to me to start a photography business, I knew all the steps to get started… apply for a DBA, speak with a CPA, secure a domain name, launch a website, establish a business model, but more importantly to truly succeed, I felt I needed to educate myself on so many things behind the lens in order to be a credible photographer and attract clients.
I signed up for photography courses and as my plan came to fruition, I must admit a bit of self-doubt creeped into my head. Am I really good enough? Do I have the skills it takes?
As I was driving in the car one day during this business planning period I heard the song Til You Can’t by Cody Johnson and his lyrics were so impactful: “If you get a chance, take it. Take it while you got a chance. If you got a dream, chase it, cause a dream won’t you chase you back”. These words have been inspiring to me. So much so that I’ve decided Til You Can’t should be my motto, along with a few other quotes and memes I read during the same time period:
- I wanna be good at something. Then be bad at it first.
- To go after your dreams…is one of the most vulnerable – yet empowering-actions you could ever take.
- Everybody needs a passion. That’s what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints. ~~ Betty White
These ideas have carried me as I started my photography classes and decided to get myself off the automatic functions of my camera. Still, the insecurities can come back when you compare yourself to others, or start to get an eye for what you really want out of your photos, but don’t always achieve the results you want. I had to tell myself that it’s only been a few months of learning so much information, so I can’t expect to be perfect. I’m hoping I will have the time and the years to learn and grow. It was a bit daunting at first, but using my resources and making improvements has truly empowered me and given me confidence that this is something I will do.
I also questioned if I could put in the time and effort needed to get started and would the time put in pay off if I’m limited in the number of years that I will have to continue to work at it. However, I then I decided it doesn’t really matter how long I do this for if I’m having fun and remain passionate. I’m investing in myself and that’s important. It’s a feeling of pride at putting in the work that gets the creative juices flowing and realizing that in my spare time stepping away from my “real job” and it’s demanding deadlines, repetitive and mundane work is something worth chasing.
I’m seeing the positive effects of interacting with people through my photography business (children most especially) and my artistic creativity I get to put to use when editing in Light Room or Adobe Photoshop has been so rewarding.
Dr. Brad Brenner, PhD points out that creative acts “can help focus the mind, and has even been compared to meditation due to its calming effects on the brain and body…releas[ing] dopamine, a natural anti-depressant”. I’m seeing the effects of reducing anxiety and even the feelings that I get when feeling a bit lonely being an empty nester. When one’s kids leave home, many Moms my age lose a sense of purpose and starting my business has really brought a new joy and purpose into my life.
I thought it interesting to read more from Dr. Brenner and find myself experiencing what she describes as a “peace, calm, and happiness” through the contentment of my photography business once I started my photo sessions. It was a thrilling experience to try something new. The excitement of setting up an outline with photo shoot ideas for my clients and then the anticipation of the actual photo session really has given me something to look forward to as shoot days approach on my calendar.
I found even more information from Dr. Catherine Deeths Gritchen, MD who states “creative ventures help to fight anxiety because they activate the parts of your brain that process emotions.” She goes even further to say “…art, for example help(s) to calm brain activity and allows the individual to feel a sense of emotional harmony.” I have felt this and also her description of “the sense of purpose and fulfillment can help decrease stress and restlessness in all aspects of [my] life.”
I’ve put no pressure on myself to be a huge “success”. My achievements and rewards are in the effort of trying and knowing that I’m doing my best. Whatever the outcome, I will be happy and satisfied at anything I learn along the way and the opportunity to see happy faces and meet the incredible families participating in my photo shoots.
Even writing this (my first blog) has reminded me of how much I loved doing research papers. I know. I know. I’m an unusual person, but I’ve always enjoyed writing and find it cathartic. Add to that researching topics and I’m feeling “intoxicated”. LOL.
It’s been an exciting adventure so far and I highly encourage anyone reading this not to be discouraged by what anyone says if you want to try anything new; no matter your age. We only live once, right? Let’s do this! We’ve got what it takes!!
Newborn Photographer / Family Photographer / Tomball, Texas / Magnolia, Texas / Spring, Texas / The Woodlands, Texas