Let’s face it, being a business owner is hard.  In my humble opinion, I think this is especially true for creatives.  You see, I had this romantic notion of starting a photography business six years ago.  I was working a corporate 8-5, feeling caged within the 5 foot walls of my cubicle, answering phones and emails, crunching numbers, making massive “to do” lists and filing until my fingers were close to bleeding.  I imagined this fabulous work life for myself as a photographer, I envisioned myself spending my days holding my camera, creating beauty, feeling free to be who I was.  What I failed to realize was that only 25% of my actual work would involve holding my camera.  Now that was a strong dose of reality.

I never imagined the amount of emails and phone calls that come in on daily basis, or that I would have to crunch numbers constantly to ensure I will make my monthly goals, or that I would continue to create mile-long “to do” lists and file until my fingers begged for mercy.  8-5 rarely exists when you work from home.  For me, I get to work as soon as my hubby is off to work and the kiddos are off to school, I stop working when they come home to make dinner and get them to soccer, basketball, swim lessons, etc.  At ten, when they are all fast asleep, I’m quietly tucked away in my office again, sometimes for five minutes, sometimes for three hours- depending on what I have on my plate at the moment.  And the biggest reality check of all?  There’s no one to pick up the slack when I get sick or take a vacation- it all just piles up, waiting for me with a sneer when I return.

Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do, which is vital.  To really make it as a professional photographer, you have to love it because being a successful business owner is rarely easy and it’s not always fun.  There are excruciating days that involve tears and frustration mixed with amazing days filled with inspiration and laughter.  But whether you’re working for yourself or for someone else, it’s still work.  And at times, it can be overwhelming.  But, because I love it, I push forward each and every day with determination and positivity.  And I remind myself that I got exactly what I asked for and it is now my responsibility to make it work every single day.

If you’re reading this, ready to throw in the towel and walk away from your photography business, I encourage you to stick with it.  That is, if you truly love it.  No one said it would be easy, let’s be real, it shouldn’t be anyway.  The highs and lows, twists and turns, good and bad are what make the journey interesting and memorable.  The struggles just make it real.  And because you love it,  you have to be willing to fight for it.