An open letter to photographers...
Tonight I was sitting on my couch, getting ready to settle in for the evening and stop working, and I felt this urge to be super honest with you all an share it on the blog. And I feel like I need to speak directly to you, as if we were sitting across from each other in a coffee shop drinking lattes and opening up about the realities of being a small business owner. So, here we go.
Hey (Insert your name here),
How is your business doing? And how are you doing? …and "fine" is not the answer I am looking for here. How are you really doing?
Are you discouraged? Me too. Bookings have been down? Right there with you. You aren't sure what this next year of your business is going to look like? Same boat friend. Are you ready for my super vulnerable moment?
This year was my lowest earning year since I rebranded and switched to elopement photography. I don't love saying that. But I also don't love when people aren't honest and pretend like their business is somewhere that it's not. To me, it doesn't do anyone any favors and it feels disingenuous. I think that this year has been so hard because I finally felt like I had figured out what I truly LOVED doing, as well the kinds of couples I loved to work with. I felt like I had arrived to a place of not needing to take on any client that came my way, because I figured out who my people were and how to find them. I had come off of a couple years of booking with so many incredible couples and even turning people away because of availability. And then it seemed like in some ways, that came crashing down around me.
Now, I know that I am a dope photographer. I am good at what I do and I haven't doubted that. I know that I offer my clients an elopement experience that is peaceful, true to them, and helps them celebrate their marriage the way they want to. And I still love this job with all of my heart. That has not changed.
Some people would say that there was a wedding boom after the pandemic and now things are naturally slowing down. Others would say that it was the influx of cash during those couple of years and now people are realizing they were spending beyond their means and so they are less likely to spend money on photography. And I am not above thinking about what I could be doing to improve my business, my client experience. I am sure there are ways that I could be better. I do know this, I have heard many photographers in my network talking about their bookings being down and feeling discouraged.
So, if that's you, if you are in the same boat I am (Honestly, even if you aren't a photographer, but you are a small business owner) and you are feeling discouraged right now...hear me carefully.
You are not defined by your bookings.
Your value does not lie in how much money you made this year.
You still have room to grow and expand in future years.
It's okay to have a slow year.
You can always pivot and change directions.
For every business on social media that appears to be thriving, there are probably 20 more who are struggling.
You are not alone.
You will be okay.
Honestly, (Insert your name here), I am weary of the highlight reel that is social media. And the pressure to always show up, not just show up put together, but the pressure to always be present. We are humans with complicated feelings, relationships, families, sometimes other jobs, stresses, family crises, physical illness, mental illness, joys, and struggles. And on top of all that, in order to feel successful, we look to follower counts and how much money we are making. The worst part of all of this is that I have found myself doubting who I am as a person. The feeling of "does anyone even like me?" has crept in more than I would like to admit. That is how social media can make us feel. And I'm over it. It's okay to struggle and it's okay to just be. You don't have to prove yourself to anyone.
So, if you are reading this and you are discouraged, please know that I get it. I understand and I am right there with you. But the important thing is that I am not giving up. I could have quit on this business so many times over the years, but there is something inside of me that won't let go, so I am choosing to honor that feeling. I know it won't be easy. But I also know that I can do it.
And I know that you can do it too.
The last thing I want to say is that if what I am saying is resonating with you, reach out. DM me on Instagram, or email me. Let's talk it out. I promise you, I am not just saying that to be nice. I mean it. You are not alone here, let's walk through it together.
If you made it to the end of this letter, thanks for being here, truly.
With love,
Sarah B.
