Risk & Reward

Rejection and failure are a risk, but so is doing nothing. With every success, you must first take the risk of uncertainty. Some dreams require you to take a chance before they can become a reality. Risks often reap a reward. 

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchill

It's astonishing how many more risks we would take if we weren't afraid. Playing not to lose isn't the same as playing to win. It's necessary to know the risks involved with a new venture, but it's equally important to understand what not taking the chance could cost you.

Is the business idea in your head that you're scared to execute the doorway to the lifestyle of your dreams? Do you try to push it to the back of your mind, but you can't stop thinking about what it could mean for your life and business? Can you accept your lifestyle conditions if you never take the risk?

Perceive the risks from all angles. How would defeat in this endeavor look? Monetary loss or "wasted" time? How would success look? Thriving instead of merely surviving? Is the reward greater than the risks?

If you can handle the risk of failure, you're already a step closer to the reward. Sometimes we give fear of the unknown more power than it actually holds. We tend to act like it's this severe thunderstorm looming overhead, but it's only a gray cloud with a chance of rain. It's only as intimidating and scary as you make it.

Even the word "risk" can make some nervous. Thinking about everything you have to lose can keep you from making that leap. But don't let it overshadow everything you have to gain. There's always a chance it won't work out, but there's always a chance it will.

Let both risks and rewards teach you their lessons. Calculating risks can help you reevaluate your priorities. Taking risks cultivates resilience and perseverance. Risk shows us what we're prepared to lose in pursuit of reward. 

Take risks and grow from failures. Take risks and inspire others by what is possible to achieve. Whatever you do, don't sit on the sidelines of your life. It's never too late to start something new or change your life's direction.

If success was a guarantee, how many more chances would you take? 

Capitalizing on Your Strengths

We can be so hard on ourselves that we neglect to notice the areas where we excel. We tend to get so caught up in our flaws that we forget to nurture our strengths. Everybody has weaknesses because we're only human, so today, we're talking about maximizing your strengths and talents and capitalizing on them!

Truly capitalizing on your photography and business powers is how you'll be able to grow a strong business and increase income. Tap into those areas of expertise and share them with the world!

What would you say your strengths are? Are you spectacular at marketing? Can you make your subjects comfortable in front of the camera? Do you enjoy bookkeeping, and you're fantastic at it as well? If you don't know where to begin to identify them, what did your clients say in their raving reviews?

Create a list of all of your skills. It'll be a great encouragement whenever you're feeling imposter syndrome or being extra hard on yourself. With all of those talents on your list, there's at least one you could use to create educational content, raise your prices, or diversify your income. What are the other avenues you could take your business down?

How can you play on your strengths to attract your ideal clients? Discover a way your talents can speak even louder to your market, so there's no hesitation whether or not you understand their concerns and needs. Are you great at planning and can provide a seamless elopement experience for your couples? Do you live in a high tourist area and know the best photo spots and things to do? Think about what potential clients are searching for so that you can create content that solves their dilemmas. They'll find your name everywhere and see you're an expert in the field.

Share about your areas of expertise often and include photo examples or BTS footage. Show yourself in action and give viewers a peek into the experience you offer. Communicate your strong points and focus on finding ways to improve those areas to make them shine even more.

Yes, every person has weaknesses, but they also have their strengths! We love to hear your feedback, so drop us a line if you enjoyed reading this topic and found it uplifting

Getting out of The Scarcity Mindset

One of the most common complaints in the photography industry is that the market is over-saturated. You'll hear many laments, "There are at least twenty photographers in my town! It's almost impossible to book anything!" Have you ever shared these sentiments?

Having a scarcity mindset will negatively impact your life and how you run your business. The truth is enough jobs for every price point and style exist. If you view everyone as competition, you'll miss out on the fantastic community within the industry.

Today, we're here to challenge you to refresh your mindset. It's time to move past believing there's only one job for every fifty photographers. It's time to get out of a scarcity mentality and move to one of abundance. This new point of view might change your life!

Each photographer's max number of clients varies, and their ideal client is different than yours. You only need to find your twenty or so clients to have a stellar year's worth of work. Some photographers even limit their bookings to ten weddings, while the US averages 2.4 million weddings in 365 days.

Some photographers will choose a different profession after a few years even though they're at the top of their game, while others will do photography until retirement. New photographers will enter the field while established ones leave. It's an ever-evolving career landscape, which means there's room and a place for everyone.

Having a scarcity mentality can lead to feelings of desperation, and that's never a good place to be. It's hard to operate at your best and make wise business decisions if you're experiencing a sense of panic.

Remember that someone else's success does not take away from your own. With social media, it's easy to be distracted and disheartened when you see your peers booking incredible jobs, but trust that what's intended for you will find you. The comparison game will get you nowhere, so focus on what you have already accomplished and how far you've come. Your moment will come.

Keep putting in the hard work and creating imagery that makes your soul happy. The world is full of countless opportunities and doors that could open if you only knock.