One of my goals for the year has been to DEFINE my business: to fine-tune my mission statement and clarify my audience and goals. As a small business owner, I spend a lot of time thinking about why I do what I do, and I absolutely loved that that process was emphasized so much at C@H! After all, understanding PURPOSE is pivotal to success — the WHYS matter! I tell my students this all the time :)

However, the past few months have brought a lot of anxiety with this goal. Because, for me, I always translated “defining business” as “specializing”. There is a lot of pressure & advice in the photography industry to specialize: to choose ONE type of session, shoot for that one thing, and leave the rest behind. And this is something I struggle with! If you’ve been around the blog for a bit, you maaaaay have noticed that I’m not just a wedding photographer; rather, all kinds of smiling faces grace these pages! And, for sometime now, I’ve been really worried that that’s bad.

Especially because, in some ways, I think specializing in one area makes complete sense! I’ve spoken with wedding photographers who absolutely cringe at the sight of baby drool, who can’t stand how kids just won’t. sit. still. :) And I’ve known family photographers who couldn’t imagine dealing with the pressure of a whole day of wedding photography — who like being completely in control and knowing what to expect. For them, it’s a no brainer!

But for me, it just isn’t like that…I thrive with variety! I absolutely LOVE being a Wedding Photographer; my heart leaps & bounds when I witness a couple so in love with each other and ecstatic to commit to that choice of love for the rest of their lives! I love the planning and the process, the proposal story and engagement session, the final meetings and the day of excitement! Capturing the moments of a day as they unfold is so special for me; it’s a challenge I joyfully accept and look forward to with every bride!

But ya know what?

I also LOVE photographing kids!! Nothing makes me giggle like a one year old’s cheesy smile, and I am pumped UP after chasing siblings around the park for an hour or so capturing them as they are! Seeing a mom and dad interact with their little one lightens my heart, and when I capture those unposed smiles..ahhhh it’s the BEST!!

And, I ADORE senior sessions. Maybe it’s the high school teacher in me, but photographing some of the most amazing young men and women in celebration of their GRADUATION means something. I love being a part of that celebration: giving them photographs to be proud of, look back on, and feel AWESOME!

So, what’s a girl to do?!

In the midst of all these thoughts, I stumbled upon an article by Jasmine Star on this exact subject on Monday. Taking the traditional stance I’ve seen over and over, J.Star encouraged her readers to specialize in a specific genre — to take that leap and shoot what they WANT, not just what they get. And as I read her post, I felt myself beginning to stress. I shrunk in my seat, compared and questioned myself, and was brought back to the same idea I get suck on again & again:

Am I doing this right?

It’s a question I think we all get stuck on, small business owners or not. The comparison game is way too easy to play — especially when you’re never given a “how-to” manual for life!

But as I read Jasmine’s post, I realized something I’ve never noticed before.

She kept talking about photographing things “you don’t want”…working in areas where “your heart just isn’t in it”…or feeling “obligated to photograph a session because you need the money or feel like you have to”. And a lightbulb clicked in my head. That’s not me. Do you know how refreshing that felt!?

That’s not me.

I don’t dread family sessions or take on seniors out of obligation in the slightest! Rather, I do a little happy dance!!! When I’ve captured relationship during a session & committed that emotion to memory, I am IN LOVE! No matter if it is a couple committing their lives to each other, the connection between a mother and daughter, the excitement and confidence a senior feels when thinking of the future, or even the giggles a chubby little 6 month old shares with me and my camera :)

In my quest for definition, I’ve realized that, while I may not be specialized in the “traditional” photography sense, I am specialized enough for me. I need to stop stressing out about doing things how everyone else is doing, because where is the fun in that? I’m specialized in laughter, in hugs held close and arms opened wide. I’m specialized in moments, and in color, and in LIFE. I’m specialized in love and joy, in communication and strength. I am a LIFESTYLE photographer, and that definition overwhelms any box I may try to put myself in.

And no-way-Jose does this mean that I think every area or style of photography is a perfect fit for me! There is definitely something to be said for defining where your strengths lie and realizing where your weaknesses are too…I have learned that all too well!

Take Food Photography for example! While I LOVE food (and pretty pictures of it!), taking those fancy photographs is so not me — I’d rather just eat it! Haha! Same with boudoir, sports, or corporate events! And I love photographing newborns, but  from a lifestyle perspective. Posing babies in fancy head holding positions or adorned in studio props?! ADORABLE, but definitely not my strong suit!

The same thing goes for posed family formals! These are obviously always included in wedding packages for right after that ceremony time, but if that was my whole session? Nuh-uh. Like I said above — I like RUNNING with the kiddos — I like cracking them up & playing with them & making them LAUGH (most often at me!)!!

The bottom line for this super long post is this: Do what you love, and forget the rest. Don’t do things just because everyone else is. Don’t label yourself because you feel like you have to. And don’t define yourself based on pre-created definitions.

I will continue to purposely seek definition for my business as I grow and mature, but I will do so out of my own heart — not out of comparison — and I will hold it with open hands. I am a Wedding & Family Photographer who believes that your story matters, and, as long as I am passionate about both, that conjunction is staying :)

Don’t do it all, just do what you love.