A little Kumbaya goes a long way | Virginia Wedding Photographer | Sarah Houston Photography
Photo Courtesy of: Brandilynn Photography Pursuit 31 Fredericksburg Group aka my Kumbaya group!
When I first started out as a business I only had the support of my family. It was all so new & even though they were a great support system I still felt out of place and alone in the industry. It was tough. It wasn't easy for me to network because when I did reach out to other photographer's the reaction or response wasn't what I wanted to hear. It was harsh and sometimes there was just static on the other end. But two years ago it really started to change for me. I met like-minded creatives that WANTED to talk to me, to help me grow! It was so refreshing to have friends in the industry who knew where I was coming from and wanted to HELP me!! I have some really incredible photographers I can now call friends and they are truly such an enormous blessing. Some of them I have never met in person, but it doesn't matter...we talk as if we've known each other for years. THIS...these types of Kumbaya moments are the moments we all need. We need to have those reliable allies to lift us up and help us through. There are going to be days of doubt...everyone has them, but that's what your Kumbaya buddies are for. They will talk you off the ledge of despair and give you hope. Just the other night I succumbed to the "so-and-so's work is more amazing than mine" funk. {yes I know....I've preached on this...and yes I sometimes have those moments of pure self loathing} But my dearest Kumbaya gal pal Bethanne pulled me back....she said words I have said to so many people before-she said "your style and editing reflects YOU" I'm not Katelyn James or Amy Demos...I'm Sarah McGuckin, though their styles are beautiful and they produce amazing breath-taking images, I take some pretty sweet shots myself. Give yourself some credit! So what is really needed, what is really lacking when you feel something missing....is your Kumbaya pal. Find them. They are out there waiting to rally for YOU-If you need someone-find me! I'll cheer you on, because you are fabulous. I'm not saying we will hold hands and sing around a campfire....but we can ignite the fire in each other. Keep it burning && if you'd like we can even sing Kumbaya over skype or something.
Light the fire, pass it on. In the end friendships are what keeps you afloat in a tough industry.