One of the first books I ever read about starting a photography business was Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders. One of the stats that he presented shook me and stung: “In the 1st year, 60% of photographers give up their business. Of that remaining 40%, another 25% will fail within the 2nd year. The ones that make it are the remaining 15% who endure through the 3rd year.” I knew statistically there was a 15% chance of my succeeding as a full time professional photographer. However, in my heart of hearts, I knew there was no other option for me and I had to dedicate myself to make it past that 3 year mark with 100% certainty that I would be able to live my dream. Today, 1,097 days later, I made it.
August 29, 2015, three years ago, seemed like forever away, but was a day I was going to look forward to or be terrified of. In my fear-stricken mind, there were numerous and unsurmountable obstacles that I was going to face that would cause me to be part of the 85% of new business failures. On Saturday, something popped up in my newsfeed. It’s the middle of year three wedding season, and I don’t have much time to be on Facebook, but occasionally, I will be alerted of something I posted years back. Normally it’s monumental, like when Mike and I got engaged and when we bought our house. However, this status that had only received twenty-some-odd “Like’s” and maybe 2 comments, popped up in my newsfeed:
“Finally.” That day 3 years ago had been one of the scariest days in my life. I had just walked out of my corporate office job and went right to the bookstore to get all the business, marketing, and photography books I could find. I was sick, physically and emotionally a train wreck. Giving up a steady income with health insurance and travel benefits was sickening. Mike and I had only been dating for about 6 months when I called him and said, “I just quit. Can you come get me?” Mike and I had just spent the weekend prior camping and chatting about our future around the campfire. When the topic of pursuing photography full time came up, Mike asked what I was waiting for? I didn’t have a good reason. “I’m scared…? I won’t succeed…? People won’t like me or my work…?” I didn’t have a solid reason for why I was in a job I didn’t like merely lusting over the idea of running my own business.
The day I walked out of my comfort zone, we packed up our car and headed to Ouray and Telluride to business plan, logo design, and begin this awesome journey. The whole weekend was a whirlwind of excitement and terror and I didn’t sleep for more than 3 hours the whole weekend. Fear crept into my heart and I wasn’t sure that I had made the right decision. Was I being foolish? I had no income now. No health insurance. No security. And the worst part, no one knew about me or my business. I was TERRIFIED. Two days after I started the Facebook page, we hit 100 likes and I nearly cried. I just stared at the likes. 100 people thought my works was something noteworthy and believed in me.
Today, 3 years later, I couldn’t be more stunned and amazed by the fact that I get to live my dream of being a Rocky Mountain photographer in Colorado. In 3 years, we’ve shot nearly 75 weddings and have played one of the most intimate roles on couples wedding days. We’ve been there to witness new little additions as families grow, meet new parents who want their most sacred moments with their children cherished, and have watch our couples say their vows and promise themselves to each other. I can’t express how emotional and deeply honored and humbled I have been in the last 1,097 days. Thank you to all the people who have been a part of this journey with me! I love you all!
Love,
Tay
