2021: Investing in Myself

When I decided to go full time into my photography business it took a lot of work, a lot of self control, a lot of alone time to work through my goals, and A LOT OF INVESTMENT. If you're a photographer, designer, planner, or artist of any kind then I am sure you know what I mean. Being in business for yourself is amazingly freeing, along with terrifying, and amongst many other things it becomes the core of your being, your thoughts, your mindset and habits. In other words, I'm never not thinking about my business and what might come next.

Over the last few months I have invested more financially, physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually then I ever imagined I could have. I can’t quit, I won’t fail, and I am betting on myself by investing in every way I know how. 

I alluded to this above but this investment goes beyond how much money I spend on gear, or how much time I invest into my business. It’s about creating joy over and over in my business, continuing to grow and challenge myself, finding ways to connect with people like you, and doing what I love. 2020 WAS A LOT… and 2021 is filled with a lot of anticipation but I know what my priorities are and I am going to continue doing the work.​

Like many of you I am hopeful for everything this year could offer. Like many of you I have goals… and I don’t love to use the term but you might say I am resolute to attain them. This year isn’t about losing weight, working out more, becoming more organized or being disappointed when I lose my drive. This year is about finding grace for myself when I can’t, pushing myself as a creative, entrepreneur, photographer, and educator to continue finding my joy when it feels gone. 

I am investing in myself by doing more shoots just for me, these push me creatively and allow me to experiment with new concepts while taking my time. I am investing in education, mentorships and new techniques to continue leveling up my business, connecting with other creatives, and so that I don’t get comfortable. I am investing in setting more strict boundaries on social media usage and consumption to increase my productivity. Now mind you, I do have personal goals as well to be more intentional about sleep, to know when I need to rest, and when my body would feel better if I did a workout, but it’s still all about grace.

I need to listen to when I know I won’t be able to give my all, to rest when I need rest, to continue bettering myself one day at a time. If 2020 taught me anything, it taught me that I am a lot stronger than I thought I was, it taught me that when I invest in myself my “crazy” ideas can come to life, it taught me more than I can say. So, to 2021… I am invested. ​

p.s. the shots I have in this blog post were all personal shoots I've done so far this year and I think that's pretty neat.