NO TO OFFER REQUESTS

Where men tend to make their ideas into reality more quickly, women tend to wait for the moment when they have accomplished something or have “made it”. Good girl syndrome makes you give room for people who are better at what they do or have more talent. I don’t speak as loud as I’d want to, because boys are loud and girls are not. Where men are respected as photographers because of their technical talent and professionalism, people tend to ask for discounts from women because you love what you do and are willing to work for less because you love to help out. When you are afraid your money is not going to cover for your bills next month, it leads you to thinking that maybe, just maybe I should offer these people a good deal so that they will book me.

I admit that jumping into being a full-time photographer and entrepreneur brought many fears into my mindset. I started to compare myself to others. I took tips from workshops too literally and we changed our business into something it wasn’t. We raised our prices too quickly. I tried to follow other people’s path to success without realizing that success isn’t the same for everyone. Where so many photographers are trying to get as many weddings as possible so that they can update their Facebook status to “our summer xxxx is fully booked, but contact us for next summer dates!”, I have realized that I would go crazy with tens of weddings a year. Success, to me, doesn’t mean booking 50 weddings per year or being fully booked. Success is being happy with my life and the choices I have made. It’s about being happy photographing the weddings of The People Who Are Right For Me, even if it means that I’m not trying to look busy to the outside world just for the sake of looking busy.

It took a couple of years after my big life-altering decision to find my lost confidence. When I realized that I should be paid something that gets me through life without worries. When I was able to say without no doubt whatsoever that I’m good – AWESOME – in what I do. I have come to realize that clients have their budgets and I have my own. I have understood that I hate giving proposals, because we don’t give them. We have a set investment and giving discounts is really unfair to clients who pay the full price – and most of all it’s unfair to us, our business and expertise. Realizing this took many conversations with friends and colleagues, sleepless nights, countless tears. But in the end here stands a woman who isn’t questioning her skills. I will do almost anything for The People Who Are Right For Me, but I will never ever walk over what I am worth. I will trust my intuition, no matter if it rains or shines.

I’ll say no to offer requests and welcome everyone who believes I am The Right Person For Them.