My Reason Why

Everyone has a reason why they start their hobby, job, business, or family. Every opportunity you pursued has a reason or a journey how you got there. Sometimes it is a quick, impulsive decision while others may have been a long throughout process which had many steps to get there. It does not matter what life choice you are talking about, you always have an answer to why even if its not obvious at first.

I have taken a few photography specific business courses as well as watched plenty of Youtube videos on the topic and this concept of your “why” seems to be universal. This is the reason you got started or maybe it is your reason to keep going. Your why may change and adapt over time but should always be a priority while making decisions or changes.

For me, my why I got started was my daughter. When I had my daughter, I was a single mother. I had parents, siblings and friends around me that were great support but at the end of the day it was just my daughter and I. Within one week of having my daughter I purchased a Canon Rebel T6 and began photographing her life. Every month was a new theme to freeze that moment in time. I am so grateful to have every one of those pictures as I look back I can see her personality developing and can relive watching her grow up.

One of the hardest parts of being a mother who really priorities her daughter, is not losing yourself in the process. As a first time mother navigating how to be a parent, some parts of you, you leave behind. There are friends that you never see or talk to again, activities you stop enjoying or participating in and one day you look in the mirror and feel lost. Who am I besides just a mom. Photography has always been a creative outlet that allows me to feel me again. Once I started photographing others I slowly felt myself coming back. There were so many reasons that I felt this way. It was a time to step out of the parent role for a short time being, I stepped out of my comfort zone meeting new people and directing them where and how to pose, and it let me feel excited about creating art that I was proud of. Creating these opportunities for myself prevent me from burning out and continuing to be the best person and mom that I can be.

Now my why for photography is not only to capture my daughter’s life but also to keep myself grounded so that I can be my whole self for my daughter. Whenever I am stuck or having a rough time, I realize that it has been a while since my last session or that I am neglecting this creative side of myself. In reflection, I can see that my why is me, and always has been.