WORKFLOW WEDNESDAY | DON’T GET LOST | ASHTON KELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
There was a time in my business last year where I sat down and made a bunch of goals for myself. I bought a fancy planner, an even fancier “goal planner,” and paid thousands of dollars to other photographers to tell me how they did it. I took notes on every webinar I could watch and implemented as much of that knowledge into my business as I could. I raised my prices, manipulated my voice, and waited for the dough to roll in.
Here’s the thing… It didn’t.
In fact, my wedding bookings came to a complete stop.
It’s a difficult thing to admit when your business has suffered. I battle with anxiety and depression and that beast took a major toll on me during this season. I kept telling myself “you’re doing everything right.” It wasn’t until almost a year later that that mantra became, “you’re doing everything they are.” Then, and only then, was I able to see what the problem was. I had lost the “me” part of my business. As a result, I had lost a lot of passion as well.
I went back to the drawing board. I planned a couple styled shoots with new creative friends that were outside my comfort zone. I stopped caring if everything on my Instagram newsfeed was pink, white, and gold. I unfollowed my favorite photographers and put them out of sight (not because I don’t love them, but because I needed to disconnect from those comparisons). I gave myself some much needed grace and I focused on planning my own wedding. I let my blog go stale for a couple months. I put my heart into my 2016 brides and learned more about videography. I re-booted the system for the AKP Retreat and we had our best one yet in Charleston, SC last month. I started being selfish in my business and putting more of myself into it, and guess what? It worked.
Education in this industry is so important. Teaching and learning from one another is crucial in our artistic development. I believe in this whole heartedly.
BUT..
What one person teaches you is not the end-all. It is not the fail-safe way to run your business. How one person succeeds will not create a perfect path for another. Understanding that what you have to offer is unique and valuable DOES matter. Knowing how you can take pieces of what other’s teach you and fold it into what’s already working for you is what will set you apart. Invest in your business, seek out knowledge from other photographers, but know that you matter in your business. Your voice matters. Hang on to it and just keep swimming.. You got this!
-Ash
Leave a Reply
September 21st, 2016 at 12:20 pm
So much yes!!! Sometimes we get so lost trying to succeed but the secret sauce is within us the whole time!
September 21st, 2016 at 12:21 pm
ours is hot sauce… ;) #andweslay
September 21st, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Yes a thousand times over!!!! I love this and I have been in a similar spot! You really have to focus on what is right for you! ????
September 21st, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Thanks, Candi! Sometimes it’s tough and we are held so responsible for keeping on the perfect face. In taking on more of a mentor role myself, I just find transparency to be so much better of a tool in preparing people for what this industry really is.
September 21st, 2016 at 1:05 pm
YES TO ALL OF THIS!!!!!!! Your amazing!!! your such a great person inside & out who is GENUINE and TRUELY cares about your clients and everyone around you!!! Keep on being YOU b/c that’s who everyone fell in love with.. Not someone you should ever have to pretend to be…Love your big caring heart face! MUAH
September 21st, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Can’t wait to go away with you next weekend. We are going to have such a great time in Savannah!!
September 21st, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Yessssss! Good to read! And your the best because your you!
September 21st, 2016 at 2:13 pm
And YOU! I love your sweet face. You’re the best!
September 21st, 2016 at 2:09 pm
YESSSSS!! Love all of this!! <3
September 21st, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Love you girl, thanks for encouraging me to be ME. <3
September 21st, 2016 at 4:03 pm
So true. We were cut from the same town, and I’ve watched you blossom. You’ve always had a style all your own, and you shouldn’t cover it up because of insecurities! You are awesome. What you produce is awesome. I’m not alone in my opinion!
Taking too much time off has put me behind in some things, and there is much to learn! I, for one, can say that I appreciate what you do. It opens doors for all of us <3
September 21st, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Thank you so much, Amanda. This made me well up a little bit. It means a lot, really!
September 21st, 2016 at 4:47 pm
You’re amazing. Thank you for sharing your reel and most important your REAL!!
September 21st, 2016 at 5:13 pm
The feeling is insanely mutual! XOXO
September 21st, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Thanks for sharing! It’s so hard sometimes to keep track of who we really are, and let that define our businesses, rather than give into the persuasive mob of popularity. But I’m happy you went the direction you did this year, otherwise we might never have met!
September 21st, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I never thought of it that way, and boy am I glad we did! I am so looking forward to our next collaboration. :)
September 21st, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Love the honesty. Keep on giving yourself grace!
September 21st, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Thank you Sarah!
September 21st, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Amazing. So great to hear of how you reconnected with what felt right to you. It’s easy to get caught up in what you think is right.
September 21st, 2016 at 11:51 pm
You’re amazing Ash… Seriously. You have no idea!! You’re going to soar in this industry!
September 22nd, 2016 at 8:51 am
Ashton, I’ve done this too. I’m pretty much OVER the constant emails and motivation. I think that stuff comes from within when you’ve had a moment of clarity. I’m proud of you for making those changes. You go girl, your work rocks.
September 22nd, 2016 at 10:20 am
Thanks for the honesty and encouragement. I’ve been trying to do all of the things to drive traffic to my blog. Sometimes I get busy and one social channel gets ignored. OR I’m doing all the right things but my engagement is suffering and I can’t figure out why. I am continually reminding myself that I started blogging because it was fun. It’s not a source of income for me at this time, and that’s okay. As long as I stay true to myself and my mission, the friends will follow. ;)
September 23rd, 2016 at 11:26 am
I really like this!!! Be yourself.
September 26th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Such great advice! Everyone’s business is going to be different and really, it should be as you learn your strengths, weaknesses, and what works for you! Thanks for sharing!
September 27th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
I love this. I raised my rates last year and it’s been painfully slow in my lifestyle sessions. I went from doing 30 sessions a month to 6 or 7 and although I’m glad to not doing 30 anymore I was missing shooting. I had to reevaluate what is best for my business and stop trying to compare my work and rates to others around me. I too unfollowed to try and reset my creativity and really see what direction I want my business to grow in!