09/08/2026
2016 is the year I started my business, but that was never the plan. I had a 1 year old baby and was in my first year of law school when I was gifted a camera. I still have the physical album of photos I took on that trip to Colombia and they’ll forever be my favorite images because I wasn’t shooting for a client, there was no vision board or end goal. I was capturing beautiful people, places and things simply for the joy it brought me and having that amplified when shared with others was the cherry on top. Here are my take aways from that first year:
1) TRUST YOUR GUT. The time and money you spent on your education and experience thus far are gone regardless of whether or not you apply them as intended. If the job wasn’t what you hoped it would be, try something new until something feels good.
2) SAY YES. Every opportunity is a chance to meet new people and learn new things. Leave some juice in your battery to spend time on projects that don’t provide immediate payoff. When looking back I can pinpoint exact people and lessons that set me up for success down the road.
3) BE YOUR OWN DEAN. If there’s someone whose work you admire, seek them out and ask them to share their experience with you (they will). If there’s a technique you want to learn, hit up YouTube University and then trial and error until it sticks.
4) BE RESOURCEFUL. Before you hire a model, pay for an add, purchase expensive gear, etc. check in with your network and you’ll be surprised how many resources you already have.
5) HONOR YOUR GIFTS. This ties back to #1 which is my main take away from my first year in business. Children are taught from a young age that being a doctor, being a lawyer, etc. equates to success. Truth is, none of us can choose what we’re inherently gifted at. If something comes easy to you, if hours pass by that feel like seconds, if others compliment what you create, hone in on that because those are your gifts and those will bring you happiness and happiness far outweighs checking any box that society forced onto your life’s to-do list.
Next up, 2017 💃🏻
