“GET OVER IT AND ON WITH IT!” I apologize whole heartedly if that sounds harsh, blunt or even mean. But it is so the truth. I have so many messages a month from photographers in the first 1-3 years of business saying, “I just want to quit, Im never going to make it, Why bother!”

With that attitude and outlook, your right, you probably won’t! Get over the “take pity on me” outlook and on with the “If I want this bad enough, it WILL happen for me” attitude.

In the beginning of my career, I admit I was guilty of looking at other photographers rise to success in what seemed like such a short period…. and make up a million excuses as to why:

1) They have more money or a supportive husband to buy them all their gear

2) They went to college for it, so there is no way I will ever compare

3) They have really good connections, someone just pushed them to the top

4) They have prettier clients near them and better shooting locations (Oh yea, hot mess over here!)

I am here to tell you that NONE of those matter or are remotely true! You have to work your HINNY off for what you want. You have to practice your craft and perfect your skills. I, for one, am a pretty slow learner. I am very hands on and needed a lot of one-on-one direction. I invested in both! Photographers in my area had better gear and more time to practice because they DIDN’T have kids, they didn’t have 3 other jobs like I did when I started. But to that I say, SO WHAT! That didnt mean I just quit before I even started, that meant I had a choice: It meant I could either work TWICE as hard as those that had the advantage, or QUIT!

I practiced by shooting teddy bears next to flower pots on my stairs, I second shot for FREE any chance I had for ANY type of session. I even shot GOATS! Anything that gave me time to hold my camera in my hand and PRACTICE USING IT! Here is proof!

 

I invested in classes as opposed to going on vacations with friends and family. I was strict with my money and saved money from each paycheck for a new lens or flash. Eventually, I bought my first L series lens. I will never forget sitting at dinner, furiously typing on my phone as I was in an ebay bid war for the 16-35L. I won!

Then I worked harder and harder, and then I got the 50 1.2 after going through the 1.8 anddddd 50 1.4. Slowly, I bought new lenses, better camera bodies. I think I maxed out my one credit card for 2,000.00, booked a wedding for the same amount in the beginning and TOOK ALL of it and paid off the card. DEBT IS THE WORST, and it will make you feel like you are drowning and failing if you cant pay it off in a timely manner, however there are many services you could make use of to try and fight your way out of your personal debt, for instance, look at credit card debt relief companies local to you. Trust me. Now…a few years later with a whole arsenal of lenses and camera bodies, I look back on the MANY moments I wanted to quit and thought that because I didnt have those 4 points above I would never make it.

I am here to tell you, just as its hard to actually say, “IM A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER”…… Its hard to admit I have made it. Its just so unbelievable to wrap my head around that statement. I did NOT make it by national standards and maybe not even industry standards or “someday I will be famous for my art standards.” BUT….I DID make it to MY OWN PERSONAL TOP. I made it based on my standards. My goals!

My goals were simple….I wanted to wake up every day and do what I LOVED and what I was passionate about. I wanted to make enough to support my two children and make sure they have clothes, shelter, warmth and love! I wanted my photography to open my heart to all kinds of people and make life long friends. And I wanted my pictures, my art, to make someone smile. Make them happy. Help them freeze a precious moment of their life in time. I have done all of that! So yes, I made it!

Here are my daily motivators! My boys, Nick and Ryan.

So here is my advice….my 10 tips to you “I- want- to- Quitters” out there:

1. Get over it and on with it. Choose now, not later.

2. Ask yourself this important question: HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT THIS!? If this answer isn’t BADDDDLY….then don’t even try, its not worth the time, money or effort if your not all in and don’t have the drive for it!

3.Photography is NOT easy. Its not cheap. Its not some side job that you can use a point and shoot/intro DSLR and charge your friends for. Its a serious thing….so are you in it for the right reasons, or JUST the money!? If its just because you think its an easy way to make some money, I can promise you wont make it far. So REALLY think about this.

4. Network, second shoot, practice until your shutter finger HURTS! Do it for free. Do it with passion and positivity. No whining. Go above and beyond.

5. Listen, don’t talk. When you ask for advice or help from other….JUST LISTEN! Soak up as much knowledge as you can from those you admire and respect. No one said you had to do it just like them or they are 100% right….but instead of going into something thinking you know it all already….just LISTEN!

6. Ask for help and don’t be ashamed to do so. NO ONE got to where they are in life without help!

7. Shoot ONLY what you are passionate about and NOTHING ELSE! Without passion, you will never feel like you are succeeding and you will never be happy with the result. (ex. Put together a styled shoot that you imagine and envision and shoot the crap out of it)

8. Write down your goals for the first 3 years, 5 years, then 10. I did and I have achieved almost everything I wanted to in 5 years! It was written down which made it REAL. Possible. I had to see it on my bulletin each day to remind me why I was fighting and working so hard!

9. Do your homework and research. In grade school I would ask my mom what a word meant and she would hand me a dictionary without saying a word. I had to work hard, research for the answers I wanted. I will go to my grave thanking her for that lesson….you want an answer…go find it! So if you don’t know what white balance is, what back button focusing it….GO LOOK IT UP. YOUTUBE has so many videos….it saved my hinny MULTIPLE TIMES!

10. If you aren’t making mistakes or failing here and there, you will never succeed. I know that makes you read and re read that over and over, but its the truth. WE LEARN from our mistakes. We learn what TO DO and what NOT TO DO at the same time. The faster you rise to success, the faster you fall! Take your time. Challenge yourself…make mistakes, get up and try again.

 

The only person that can make you quit is YOU! Don’t let your fear stop you from trying….living out your dreams….and doing something you are passionate about. Be in this for the right reasons. Don’t compare yourself or set your goals based on someone else’s. Have realistic expectations and don’t overwhelm yourself. You CAN DO THIS! I did it with no photography background, $4.32 cents in my account, 2 kids, and 3 part time jobs! No excuses!

xoxo,

Kaitlin Noel