I wish I had started something like this years ago when I was beginning in the wedding industry. If nothing else to remind myself how hard it is to start and maintain your own business. I’m not sure if this ‘journal series’ is aimed at other people starting their photography business or it’s selfishly for me to look back at someday. I’ve thought about writing posts like this in the past, but always thought it was too late – but I finally decided that was foolish and it’s never too late to start something.

The same goes for starting a business, albeit photography or something else. I can think of few things more rewarding than being your own boss – simultaneously, I can think of few things that require more work, dedication, stress, and effort to successfully accomplish. Jamie and I still work full time jobs and all the while are building this company. To anyone who thinks they don’t have time for such an endeavour I say, if we can do it, you can do it. It’s nothing more than a choice to commit to it. It’s true that without truly committing to the project it will never happen. If that means setting aside just 25 minutes a day to dedicate to doing something to build your photo business, then so be it. I have to remind myself all the time that it is not going to be done in 6 months. It’s going to take a lot of time. I’m one of those people that likes to see the reward immediately. I want it now!

With all that said, I’ve never been so focused on a goal. With the thought of children on the brink, the idea of working from home and making myself available to spend more time with the family is the driving force behind finally lighting a fire under my rear-end to pursue this endeavour knowing I cannot fail. Well that and my wife doesn’t really like working for someone else – and I know that architecture is not the path to a single-family income; that much is certain.

The last thing I want to mention in this first post is sacrifice. Maybe this is the reason I decided to write this post of use to nobody but my future-self. I want to remember how hard I had to work so that when I make it to where I’d like to be I can remember. This weekend I have to meet with a bride-to-be on Saturday morning for probably 30 minutes. Twice a year my cousins and uncles go camping. We have been doing this for 26 years. That amounts to 52 campouts of which I have only missed one due to a trip to Europe. I have attended 51 out of 52 campouts because they are so important to me. In two days time I will miss my second campout to have a thirty minute meeting with a bride. This is the unfortunate reality of starting, building, and maintaining a photography business. I cannot send someone else in my place. It is up to me to make it happen. It is my sacrifice to make – but also, with hard work, my benefit to reap.