Just Say Yes | Atlanta Portrait Photographer
In case you were thinking that this blog is about an engagement session or wedding, you would be wrong, especially since I don’t photograph either. I’m talking about me and my comfort zone. For the record, I am an ambivert which means that I am a social introvert. In addition to this, I don’t necessarily like telling people what I do or bragging on myself. The thing about that is being an entrepreneur, I have to tell people about my services in order for them to know about me and what I do. So, I have had to get used to talking about my business which has been difficult, to say the least. As the years have gone by, I have gotten better at it but still not as good as I should. This year I have planned to be different.
One of the things I have decided to do is to accept more opportunities that come my way. Not that I didn’t accept any opportunities previously, it’s just that there were some things that I turned down because of various bad reasons. As I stated before, people can’t hire me if they don’t know what I do or that my business even exists. So far this year, I have been interviewed for a podcast, attended several networking events and one-on-one meetings with other entrepreneurs/business owners, agreed to photograph stock photography and will be having my own art show beginning this Friday. My cousin who is a video producer/editor even created a bit of a commercial for me that is fabulous! Believe it or not, there was a time when I would have turned that down because I don’t like being in front of a camera, especially a video camera. Many of these activities have taken me out of my comfort zone and that should be a good thing because nothing can grow in my comfort zone. To be fair, I think it really kicked into gear last year when I published my book. I felt so vulnerable when I announced that it had been published. A writer I am not but I did have a story to tell and other people’s stories to tell. Pushing past the fear and uncertainty was difficult but I did it.
If you’re interested, my art show is at the Lamar Art Gallery, also known as the Art Depot in Barnesville, GA. It’s about an hour outside of Atlanta, next to Griffin. I had someone ask me why I chose that location and my answer is that is who offered me the opportunity. Now if someone offers me the opportunity to photograph the wedding of a famous person I will not be taking that one. There are still some opportunities that I will not accept because they do not lead to anything I want to do. You may wonder how having the art show will help me. Well, the pieces in the art show are all for sale. Plus, it gives me a chance to share the images that I photograph for myself with others and provides another possible stream of income. Extra streams of income are a definite plus.
Anyway, if you follow me on Instagram (@phoartgraphy or @brand_you_portraits) or Facebook (PhoArtgraphy or Brand You Portraits), you’ve seen the video of me. In case you haven’t seen it, click here. Below are a few images from my art show. Hopefully, you can make it! If not, tell your friends and maybe they can make it! Remember, sharing is caring unless it’s the coronavirus.
