If I could sit down with the version of me just starting out — camera in hand, heart on fire, and absolutely no clue what was ahead — I wouldn’t give her a list of marketing tactics or gear upgrades.
I’d give her this:
1.Family > Work. Always.
I put work first for years.
Late-night edits. Weekend sessions. Hustling through milestones and memories that I should’ve been present for.
Documenting moments for other families is a gift, but it is never worth the cost of missing your own.
I’ve learned to honor both… and I wish I would’ve sooner.
2.Invest in yourself early.
You are worth the investment.
Mentorships. Workshops. Coaching. Courses. Community.
Not only will you grow faster, you’ll also feel less alone.
You’re not just paying for someone’s time… you’re paying for their years of experience and the shortcuts they learned the hard way. That kind of wisdom is priceless.
If that’s you, you can learn more about my mentorship and coaching offerings here.
3.Not everyone is your person.
And that’s okay.
Some people will ghost you.
Some people won’t book again.
Some will book the person you referred them to and never look back.
Let them go.
Your people — the ones who see you, value you, and cheer you on — they’ll find you. And you’ll be so grateful you made space for them.
4.Boundaries are everything.
If I could shout one thing to every new photographer, it would be this:
You are allowed to set boundaries… even if it risks disappointing someone.
Unapologetically protect your peace. Because the only people who get upset when you set boundaries are the ones who benefited from you having none.
5.Time is your most valuable currency.
If it’s not a HELL YES, it’s a HELL NO.
You don’t have to say yes to every inquiry, opportunity, or collaboration. If it doesn’t excite you or serve you, pass it along to someone else.
Protect your calendar like it’s sacred. Because it is.
6.Rest is productive (and non-negotiable).
Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement.
Some of my best work (and clearest ideas) have come after a day of doing absolutely nothing.
Even when my editing queue is full or deadlines are looming, I give myself permission to pause.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
And you definitely can’t serve your clients or your family well if you’re running on fumes.
7.Don’t get stuck in the comparison game.
Comparison is the thief of joy… and of momentum.
Especially when you’re in year 1 looking at someone in year 5 or 10.
You don’t know their story. You don’t know their struggle. And none of it changes what you are capable of building.
Celebrate your own journey. Even the messy parts.
8.Legalities, systems, and smart practices matter.
Contracts are non-negotiable.
Systems will save your sanity.
Having strong foundations in place protects both your business and your peace.
(If you need help setting those up, this is literally what I help photographers do through mentorship. Just sayin’.)
9.Back. It. Up.
Cloud, hard drive, external… I don’t care. Just do not keep everything in one place.
Technical failures don’t care how long you’ve been in business.
But having backups? That gives you peace of mind and keeps your reputation intact.
10.Show up asyou.
The most powerful marketing strategy?
Being yourself.
Post your work.
Share your heart.
Let people into the why behind what you do.
Because people book people, not portfolios.
Take the Next Step:
If you’re in the early stages of your photography business (or rebuilding from a place of burnout), this is your reminder that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Want to streamline your workflow and save yourself so much time? [Click here to grab my in-depth guide!]
Looking for personalized support to grow in confidence, skill, and strategy?
I have a limited number of mentorship and coaching spots… let’s get to work! Learn more and book a spot here.
