Today I read an article that really hit home and was just what I needed to read.

Back-story. I’ve been wanting to do a little updating of my website and blog. I’m continually trying to have a clear message to my potential brides. I want them to visit my site and know immediately what I’m about, what I believe about weddings, people and my faith in Christ. I want it to be clear because while you don’t have to be a particular type of bride to work with us, there are brides who mesh better with us. If I can make that clear, I can save everyone a lot of time. For example, if a bride is looking for a photographer that they sign a contract with and then don’t see until the wedding day and then maybe only see once after the wedding (or never again)…I am NOT their photographer. If a bride is looking for a photographer who will pretty much be on call before/during/after the wedding with any concerns…a photographer who meets with the bride and groom at least twice before the wedding (consult and a thorough get to know you session), laughs with you and your brides maids, that dances with your guests at the reception, who cries just as much as you when you see your groom, who has become like a family friend and hugs everyone at the end of the day…then I am SO your photographer. Now, don’t freak out on the faith in Christ part….I don’t run around your wedding giving guests tracts or telling them to find Jesus. I only want this to be a part of what I portray, mostly non-verbally. It is the absolute core of who I am. No questions asked. As a wife, friend, business owner, everything. If that makes someone uncomfortable, that’s 100% ok. If you know me in person, you know I don’t force anyone to believe what I believe. But I don’t want to hide it in any way, especially on my website.

Then I found this article over on Psychology for Photographers. It talks a lot about fear and wanting to please everyone. But when you try to please everyone, you aren’t fully yourself. I would say this has FINALLY clicked with me over the last 7 months or so. It has given me strength to stand behind my business. Most of the time it means not apologizing for my prices or what I want my business to be (not all photographers will sell themselves by saying they’ll be dancing with your guests and hugging everyone at the end of the day!)

The main thing I thought about when reading this article though, was my website. It made me realize, it doesn’t matter if I change my website once a year or a dozen times. As long as my message is getting across to my target client, then that’s what matters.

What about you? Is there a part of your business you don’t want to let go of because you think people won’t like you for it? Are you afraid you’ll lose out on business? Let me know!

And since we love pictures over here, here’s a picture from the conference where I finally started to let go of the feeling that “everyone HAS to love me!”