06/08/2026
There are so many things I could say about this moment, but the truth is… this past year has been the hardest and most rewarding year of my life.
One year ago, I made the decision to completely change my life. I sold my house, accepted a remote position, packed everything I owned, and moved from Tennessee to Florida in less than three weeks after deciding this was where I wanted to build my future.
I left behind my family, lifelong friends, and everything familiar to start over in a place where nobody knew my name.
A few months later, I picked up a camera. At the time, I had no idea it would become what it is today.
What many people don’t know is that behind the photos, beach sunsets, and social media posts was someone fighting battles she rarely talked about.
In December, while I was home visiting family for the holidays, my world changed forever when my father took his own life. What was supposed to be one of the happiest trips home quickly became one of the most devastating experiences of my life.
Addiction is real. Mental health struggles are real. Depression is real. The battles people fight behind closed doors are real.
And losing someone you love to those battles leaves behind questions, pain, and heartbreak that are difficult to put into words.
Grieving someone you love is difficult. Grieving someone you love while living hundreds of miles away from your family is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
There were days I didn’t want to get out of bed. Days I questioned everything. Days I felt completely lost. Days I felt guilty for not being home. Days I smiled for clients and cried the moment I got back to my car. But somehow, in the middle of the grief, loneliness, anxiety, and uncertainty, this little business continued to grow.
At the same time, I was still working a full-time job. My days started early and ended late. I spent my lunch breaks answering inquiries, my evenings photographing families, and most nights editing long after everyone else had gone to bed.
For nearly a year, every bit of free time I had was poured into this dream.
There were weekends spent behind a computer screen, nights where sleep took a backseat, and countless moments where I questioned whether I could keep doing both.
But I kept showing up. Because deep down, I knew I was building something bigger than myself.
Session by session. Referral by referral. Client by client.
What started as a dream became something real. And somewhere along the way, photography helped heal parts of me I didn’t even realize were broken.
It gave me purpose on the days I felt numb. It gave me something to look forward to when everything felt heavy. It reminded me that life is made up of moments worth holding onto.
Choosing happiness matters. Protecting your mental health matters. Creating a life you genuinely love matters.
Because tomorrow is never promised.
Today, less than a year after starting this business from scratch in a town where nobody knew who I was, I am taking the biggest leap of faith I’ve ever taken.
I am leaving the security of a full-time job to pursue a lifelong dream and build something no one can ever take away from me - Camryn Martin Photography.
To say I’m scared would be an understatement. But if this year has taught me anything, it’s that life is far too short to spend it wondering, “What if?”
So today, I’m choosing faith over fear.
And through it all, I have learned to trust the Lord in ways I never had before. When I couldn’t see the next step, He made a way. When I felt broken, He carried me. When I questioned my future, He opened doors I never could have opened on my own. Looking back, I can see His hand in every part of this story.
This business, these clients, this opportunity, and this new chapter are blessings I will never take for granted.
And for the first time, I’m asking for help.
If you’ve ever supported me, encouraged me, shared my work, booked a session, recommended my name, liked a post, or cheered me on from afar, thank you. You have helped me get here.
As I begin this next chapter, I would be incredibly grateful if you would:
* Share this post.
* Follow my business page.
* Invite your friends to follow my page.
* Leave a review if I’ve ever photographed you.
* Tag someone looking for a photographer.
* Continue sharing my name when someone asks for recommendations
Small gestures make a huge difference for a small business owner chasing a dream.
Before I close, I have to thank one person in particular. My boyfriend, Cameron (yes, we have the same name lol).
Thank you for loving me through the hardest season of my life. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on, my biggest supporter, and the person who reminded me of my strength when I couldn’t see it myself.
You stood by my side through grief, uncertainty, long work days, late nights editing, and every challenge this year brought. You celebrated every win, encouraged me through every setback, listened to every idea, and never stopped believing in me or this dream.
When life felt overwhelming, you were my safe place. Your patience, support, and constant encouragement helped carry me through some of the darkest moments I’ve ever experienced.
Thank you for always reminding me to keep going, even when I wanted to give up. I truly would not be where I am today without you, and I am so grateful to walk into this next chapter with you by my side. 🤍
To everyone else who has believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself, thank you.
To my family, friends, clients, and everyone who has supported me through the darkest yet most rewarding seasons of my life, thank you. Thank you for praying for me, encouraging me, supporting my business, and reminding me to keep going when things felt impossible.
Here’s to healing, growth, taking chances, and building a life I’m proud of. This is the beginning of a brand new chapter. 🤍
