Today I'm going to talk a little bit about my journey as a photographer. In some ways, this may relate to your journey as a model or perhaps in some other area of your life.

When I began photographing people in 2008, I had been doing photography most of my life but in different genres and had no clear idea what I was doing or how to do it. All I knew is that it was something that I wanted to do. 

As in many other areas of my life, I didn't hold myself back, I just jumped in and got started once I made my mind up. That's one thing that set me apart from many people is that when I want to learn or do something, I will simply just do it. Nobody was going to do it for me, I had to do it for myself.

I acquired the equipment I needed to get started - entry level gear that I ended up giving away later as I upgraded. I studied concepts and techniques and practiced, practiced, practiced.

I figured out how to put myself in situations where I could find models to shoot with. In those situations and quickly realized that people skills was an area where I had plenty of room for improvement. P!eople skills is an area of photography that is often overlooked and not spoken of in depth.

I also discovered my shills needed to be honed toward this particular genre of photography. Product photography taught me the use and settings of a camera but there were other layers of lighting composition that are clearly different and needed to.be learned.

All of that is great because I then had a clear place to focus my development efforts and make solid gains. I'm still working on myself, my people skills, and my photography skills to this day.

There are a few ways that my journey might relate to yours:

Getting started is the most difficult part! It's actually not that hard though is you don't waste time overthinking it. It is human nature to resest chang and fear the unknown. Just jump in and get started.

Don't hold yourself back.You can be your own best friend or worst enemy. Don't let your thought voice talk you out of something that your heart voice really wants to do.

Don't worry about what others may say or think. Most people will actually be happy to see you pursuing your dreams! Those that aren't have their own internal struggles that they often deal with by spewing them out onto the world. Always remember those are not your problem.

You may not have any idea what you need to do but when you get started, what needs to happen will become clear. I didn't! There are plenty of people that have gone before you and are glad to help, me among them. Seek them out and draw on what they can share.

Don't give up!

We all get one shot at this so friggin reach for stars!