Reflecting on 2023…
All I can think of right now is, WOW.
This year held a lot of challenges, new opportunities, and memories made!
I had this fear in the beginning of the year that no one would want to work with me because I had a baby. I sat there contemplating “Do I even try?” because the year prior, when I was pregnant, I had a total of TWO bookings! Yes, two. The pressure to get back into my groove of things after my son was born was unimaginable.
I had a severe case of imposter syndrome. I loved my work, but I felt like it wasn’t me. I have always had an understanding for others work, it’s beautiful and it fits their everyday style, but mine wasn’t filling that void. I couldn’t figure it out - I am still trying to figure it out. I was also in the transition stage of wanting to grow with my business, not out of it. So I was left with changing up my editing style - which after having only 2 bookings the previous year, was a hard pill to swallow with how the next year would turn out.
They say once you have kids, your style changes. And I definitely believe that was true - I mean it was true for my wardrobe! I loved my old style and I loved the colors and the feeling you got from the editing - but it wasn’t something I wanted to grow into. My mindset changed, it went from “Okay, what’s trendy…” to “Would I hang this style in my own home?” I think that was a huge step for me to take to grow.
I noticed the amount of comparison, at the start of 2023, I had from my work to others was becoming unhealthy. I needed a change, I needed that fresh start - a safe place where I was able to grow from and learn what works best for me. I unfollowed so many creatives because I felt so inferior to them, the fear of competing for people, is not something I wanted to be apart of. I wanted to attract people to my work because they loved the colors, the style, the posing, and because they loved the additional service I provide for them.
I believe that there is room for everyone in this industry. No one has the same style, niche, or attracts the same people! That is totally okay!! We are all entitled to have a creative outlet, it’s how you learn to grow with the people surrounding you that can make or break your success.
So, I started from the basics. I created a new editing style that could help me grow in either direction - from those moody, golden tones to the crisp and cool vibes. Maybe this could be my big break?!
While there was all these unknowns about how my photography journey would turn out, I tried, I kept pushing.
I second-shot for other photographers in my area, I exchanged services with other creatives, I learned from those around me. And I started to become this person that I truly admired.
I admired her for the fact that she was becoming confident, not only in her work but in herself. She was passionate about those in her circle and fought for what was right. She continued to grow with every session, she showed up - even when she didn’t want to. Through all the heartbreak, she stayed in her lane and didn’t let the outside world affect her work. I started to admire her strength, confidence, and energy.
Her clients became the calm to her own chaos.
People say, “You get what you give,” and I truly believe that. The people that I have in front of my lens, are people who trust me - who are compassionate, understanding, and believe in me. They see me as a person, not as some strange lady with a camera. They see me as a mom through my socials, they see me supporting my siblings in their endeavors, they see me as a human being who has this beautiful life outside of her photography business.
That is who I love getting the chance to connect with. People who see me as a person. I feel like I am getting to that point of attracting the right clientele. The best version of myself grew into who she is because of the people she surrounded herself by. I truly believe that we were meant to connect for a reason!
One thing I noticed in myself, from a business perspective, is the drive I had to create this year! I strived to take all my seniors to different locations, no matter where they went to school! I was always testing the waters with each couple, by trying at least one new pose each! I know it may sound so silly and so minute, but truly these little changes in my business have kept me alive and ready for that next step.
I gained so many followers on social media - to the point that I am hosting my own styled photoshoot to many in the area - who are wanting to connect and learn with me! This is seriously a dream coming true!
I can only hope that love and drive to create memories for others seeps into 2024!
I am beyond excited to see what this next year brings to Madie G. Photography!
