If any of you are familiar with Kim Klassen, perhaps visited her website or taken any of her classes, you know that she talks a lot about dreams. She encourages her readers to write their dreams down and start pursuing them one by one.
Well, I've been having this recurring dream over the past year. Every few months it makes an appearance in my mind. It's kind of a scary dream and one that I don't say out loud to many people. Deep breath.....I would love to make photography my career. I want to combine my passion with the way I make a living. Don't get me wrong, the job I've had for the past ten years is a good job. I get to work on some interesting projects, with some great people and get to do it all from the comfort of my home. It feels secure. It's comfortable. It's what I know. But.....it's not my passion.
So what's holding me back? Honestly?
Fear.
Fear of sounding silly when I say out loud, "I want to be a photographer." Fear of not being good enough.....have you seen the number of amazing photographers out there? Fear of just blending in. Fear of leaving my comfort zone. Fear of not finding work. Fear of not making enough money to pay the bills. Fear of no longer loving photography because now it's my full time job. Fear of failing. Fear....fear....fear....and the list goes on.
So what's a girl to do?
Right now, I don't have an answer other than I'm going to keep dreaming and praying. And I'm going to think of ways I can start pursuing my dream one baby step at a time. And I will continue to share my journey with you.
What about you? Do you have a dream that's been tucked away in your mind? What keeps you from living it out? Or perhaps you've taken a big leap and pursued your dream. Share your story....I'd love to hear it!
P.S. It's hot out....cool down with some water and don't forget to post your shots in our flickr pool!
21 comments:
I have total faith in you that you could do it! When Jack was 4 months old I quit my job (working for a design firm) to go out on my own. I look back at that time and still can't believe that I did it because it is so unlike me. Of course, now almost 10 years later I'm so glad that I did but I can't imagine the fear I must have had back then. But I don't remember the fear. What I remember is the fact that I made a decision to change something in my life and I did it. You can do it too, but you will know when the time is right. You will be booked up so fast!
Oh, I get that fear . . . I have it too! But honestly I'm not sure if I'm afraid of fear itself or the possibility of success, I know that sounds strange. I would like to write a book, an inspirational book with my photography but how does one go about that? And I would love to sell my photographs as artwork, but don't know really where to start, and fear of rejection I guess has kept me from trying. I'm much better at giving advice than taking it, so I'm going to say GO FOR IT!! : )
Oh and I forgot, your photo is beautiful!!
I love your story! and how awesome that you don't even remember the fear but rather that you accomplished something great! And thanks for the encouragement!
Yep....right there with you....where do I begin and what if they don't like it!! We need to hold hands and jump in together!! :-)
Like Leigh said, you will know when the time is right. 20 years ago I quit my job and moved away from my family, my friends and the town where I have lived for the past 28 years, Montreal, to move with my boyfriend who was living 5 hours drive away. It was only 2 months we were together so you could say there was 50 percent chances it could work or not. But deep down, somehow I knew it would work, I knew it was the right thing to do, and I was right, for 20 years later we're still together and love each other so much, and I have the most wonderful life that I could never have imagined. So when the time is right, you know it, you feel it in your entire being and something strong pushes you to do it. Listen to your inner voice, your intuition, it's your guide in life and it will never guide you to the wrong places or peoples for you. And when the time is right maybe you will still have fears but you won't be able to put your dream aside anymore, something strong will push you to do it. And when the time is right you will see many "coincidences" happening. I wish you your dream comes true ! Your photo is so very beautiful !
it takes alot of courage to share your dream with the world, so good for you! i know i have been personally inspired by your photos and your passion really shines through! i always thought that once my daughter went to college that i would have more time to pursue some of my dreams. and while i've made a little progress towards actually doing those things, i've been surprised that time isn't my biggest obstacle. it's me. for all the reasons you listed - fear of failure, fear of not being good enough. and my own personal demon, fear of what others will think. but i had a little breakthrough today on my morning run so i got a good dose of confidence that will hopefully push me forward. best of luck on your journey. love, kelly
I have watched your photography skill and style evolve over the time we've shared with each other on our internet sites/classes. (Can't wait to meet you at Oasis!) You have real talent. I agree with what others have said: You'll know when the time is right. Your heart, your head, your family and yes, even your finances, will all come together and you'll "know".
Fear can be so crippling. And like you young 'uns, I still struggle with fear. Fear of the unknown as well as fears already listed above. But we overcome and you will as well Stephanie. And your FOL Sisters will be right there with you.
xo
Dotti
Oh, Stephanie, my sweet thing...you have such a wonderful eye and creativity and that is what it takes. There are photographers and then there are photographers who have that special something, and you do. I know it would be mighty scary to quit the comfort of your job and dive into your dream, maybe baby steps, get a feel, and then take the big leap. You have the talent, now muster up the faith.
I remember thinking from the first time I saw your photographs that you must be a professional photographer...so I think you are already there. You ought to start saying it out loud...I am a photographer ...cuz you are. a wise woman once told me that it doesn't have to be an either/or initially...you don't have to quit one job to start another. You can do both until you are ready to let one go. Design your new business card this month. Research ways to put yourself out there as a photographer this summer. come to Oasis and share
...I meant to say...share the baby steps you are taking towards your goal...doesn't sound like a dream to me anymore but a goal. I know you can do it cuz I thought ou had already achieved it!
What a wonderful story....thanks for sharing and for the encouragement!!
Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your kind words! And congratulations on the dose of confidence!
Oh, I can't wait to meet you at Oasis and give you a big hug! Thanks for the encouragement and wonderful words!
Thank you, thank you, sweet Deanna! baby steps, baby steps....faith....and lots of prayers!!
Thank you, Jeanine...you are so thoughtful and kind! Your words are a big boost of encouragement....now I have take some of those baby steps before October so I can share them with you!1 :-)
Stephanie, I so agree with what everyone else had already told you. You will just know when the time is right. And maybe you still have some more thinking and planning before you feel "it." Everyone who knows me thinks I make decisions rather quickly, big, life changing decisions - like having my second child when I was 40, going back to college for my graduate degree when my new little baby was only months old, and many more... But I actually had done what you are now doing, and have been doing. Thinking and thinking and planning and figuring things out. You are a very talented photographer. If this is what you really want, when the time is right, it will come to you. Good luck, and great post. I think it got everyone thinking about our dreams today!
Such an awesome post, Steph! I like the advice that has already been given to start with baby steps -- it's a little less scary that way. Never doubt that you have the talent, however. Remember who you're talking to here, people who have watched you grow so much from the time we first met until you are now definitely a photographer and one with tons of talent. I have thought many times about doing "something" with my photography but I have the same fears that have already been mentioned. The funny thing is that one of my biggest fears is that making photography a business will take the fun out of it. I get so much pleasure out of the hobby that I would never want to do anything to jeopardize that. Hmmm, we'll see. You definitely have me thinking, that's for sure! Will be anxious to hear about those baby steps when we are together at Oasis.
It's been said so well in all the comments. You are a huge talent, Stephanie. Listen to your heart, listen to your gut. I agree with the baby steps and feeling it out. Huge courage in this post, to say your deepest dream. You know you best but never doubt that a huge number of us (and we are one WISE collective when you put us all together) think your work is outstanding. Boy, it's exciting. Okay, going to reread the comments...
I think you have taken the first step by writing your dream down and sharing it. That, in itself, is huge. There is a lot of fear sharing dreams and you have just overcome that one! Congratulations! You have the talent. Now watch for all things that will start falling into place!
xo,
Linda
Stephanie, I've seen lots of people play around with cameras and seen that they take one or two really good photos. I've never seen anyone with a collection of consistently stunning shots like yours. It's not so much about the dream as it is about the gift that God has given you... I was wondering how long it would be before you took it up as a career!!
Naomi Lockwood
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