I think one of the toughest things about being a full-time photographer is how isolating it can be. To be totally honest, 75% of my time doesn’t even involve holding a camera- it’s spent in my home office, alone. Editing, blogging, uploading, emailing, branding, marketing… the list goes on and on. If I don’t have music on or a load of laundry going, my house is eerily silent. And that silence is sometimes deafening.

Now, before you think this is me complaining, please be assured, it most definitely is not. I am incredibly grateful to be a full-time photographer. I spent years trying to get to the point that it could be my career, and I have now spent years maintaining it. I love photography. I love being a photographer. There’s only one thing I miss about the corporate job I left almost five years ago- the people I worked and socialized with, on a daily basis. With each passing year in this profession, it only gets harder.

It was about a year ago that my photographer friend urged me to join Clickin Moms. Of course, I had heard of them, but other than a few purchases from their store, I wasn’t exactly familiar with what they had to offer. I spent some time reading their blog and gaining information about what they were all about. What I learned, blew me away! (Forums, eLearning opportunities, Click Away Conference, Click Magazine, etc.) The next thing I knew, I was compiling images into a folder in prep for submitting to become a part of CMpro. When I shipped off my entry, I was a bundle of nerves. When I received my acceptance email a few weeks later, my heart nearly burst with pride and happiness. Not only had I accomplished something I was infinitely proud of, I was also gaining a safe place to share knowledge and discuss work with other fellow photographers.

The photography industry is HUGE. And when you don’t belong to a community, it can be incredibly lonely. I am coming up on my one-year anniversary as a member of Clickin Moms and I have loved every single second I have been able to spend in the forums, sharing and learning from photographers from all over the world. It’s rare to find a community of friendly, loving and encouraging photographers, who want to see you succeed and flourish. Hands-down, joining Clickin Moms has been one of the very best decisions I have made for my business, and my heart.

I encourage you to join the CM family so you can see firsthand what it’s all about. This is my little nudge to any other photographer out there who is looking for a place to belong in this vast industry, give CM a try. You won’t be sorry. You’ll be inspired. Much love!!