Comments on: Give Me Any and All Requests!

By: Amanda Mays

Amanda Mays — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:00:25 +0000

Kimberlyn, I can TOTALLY relate!

By: Kimberlyn Totten

Kimberlyn Totten — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:15:35 +0000

Okay, I’m slow to post, but here goes!
Mommy vs. Building a Business:
I think the biggest struggle I have is that these two roles constantly fight for my attention. Thus it feels like a “this vs. that”, kind of a battle. I dreamed of being a wife and mom and now that I am, there is something deep within trying to spread my wings and fly to create beautiful things other than healthy kids or PBJ sandwichs. There is guilt involved with this and a constant nagging voice in my head that says “Your kids will only be little once, so don’t miss it”. Photography will always be there. What I hope to learn is balance and patience as my kids grow so will my business. With this said, I find much encouragement from other mothers stories, successes and struggles.(Especially, how do you stay on track and focused with the costant interuptions of little onse) That’s one of the blessing of your blog MeRa- You keep it real! Sometimes web sights and blogs make it all look so easy, when in fact it’s allot of hard work and often sacrifice for the whole family. Real moms with real insight on the steps they take to manage it all would be priceless! I want my business to be a gift to myself, others and my family. When I feel it is a burdon it makes me question if this is the right timing for this dream! Can anyone relate?

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:11:20 +0000

Thank you thank you thank you – that totally made my day! I was so surprised when I went back to read some comments (I usually click on their names to see who the other people are on here) – thanks so much for taking the time to respond

By: Me Ra

Me Ra — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:13:37 +0000

Denise, don’t worry about whether or not you’re able to call yourself a photographer. After my book was published and I was writing for magazines, I STILL felt insecure calling myself an author or writer b/c I didn’t own any tweed coats and I can’t recite any poetry to you by heart and my friend who is a total bohemian type gal pulls of the look of a writer way better than i do (even though she doesn’t write).

Does that make sense?

Just do what you do, with your eye that only you have, enjoy it, and pat yourself on the back b/c you have totally stepped out of your comfort zone and grown. This is something to be proud of.

By: Dori

Dori — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:46:29 +0000

The previous posts said everything I was going to say. I’m just excited that it’s coming soon. Have a great day! Your blog is such a spot of respite while I sit working “part time” with a toddler on my lap demanding to play the sesame street game… again…

By: Denise

Denise — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:08:56 +0000

A woman from my church recently saw my pictures of my son and asked if I would photograph her dance recitals (shes a teacher)- I said yes and she suggested posting the photos online and the parents could order prints if they wanted… I totally want to be a children’s photographer but my question is: how do you know if you’re any good??? I’d feel so stupid saying, “I’m a photographer” because I don’t have that much confidence and I’d feel like people would see right through me – The dance thing is about a month away and I think it could be a good opprotunity to meet a lot of parents – so I’m trying really hard to prepare myself until then… I can’t wait to order a bunch of stuff from Refuse to say cheese.com – my husband says I can’t until I pay off my camera That’s another thing: Working with a tiny budget!!!!!!

By: sharon

sharon — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:06:07 +0000

Yeah! What Maggie said!

By: Maggie

Maggie — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:21:24 +0000

Hi Me Ra and Brian.
So glad you’re back!

Issues for me:
*Time management
*Workflow (takes me forever, hence time management is #1 on my list!)
*Finding my own style — how do I get there and when will I know?
*Thinking out of the box (different sessions…not just like everyone else’s)
*Portfolio building ideas
*Confidence boosting — actually calling myself a photographer
*Budgeting
*Photographer Resources
*Marketing (before word of mouth hits!)
*Setting (and seeing) long term goals
*Pricing (this is a BIG one!)

Best of luck! I know this will be a great kit.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:34:56 +0000

My biggest issue is that I already work full-time at a bookstore and my husband works full time. I have a 4 year old son and I struggle with spending time with him but I also crave time to myself. It gets worse when you see moms that HAVE all the things you care about and things seem to go seamlessly.
I always treasure those comments when random strangers think my photography is amazing, it reaffirms and keeps pushing me.
Anyway, we’re not perfect and neither are our kids… being assured that it’s okay, goes a long way
Thanks for the wonderful blog that I love to frequent

By: sharon

sharon — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:11:37 +0000

OH! I have so many questions for you! They are all swirling around in my head and I can’t seem to get anything out!

One hard thing for me is when it comes to money. It’s hard for us on tight budget to spend money on a business. Where should I invest the money I can get? Equipment? Workshops (hee hee hee ) Mailers? What? And when I do make some money I feel like I need to contribute to the family… Like the money I made with Christmas cards this year, I put it towards Christmas. I can’t seem to help it!

And the biggest one for me may not have to do with being a mom, it very well just may be me, but the fear of success.
What if I am good enough and what if this photography thing does take off?? What do I do now??

I have to stop. I don’t even want to think about it! I’ll go crazy!!!