Morris County Maternity Photographer and her own growing pains

Ah!  I'm "gettin' real" in this blog!  It's January 2021, we are still in the middle of our Covid style of life, I recently moved my studio and with that came along higher rent, more overhead, so, with all of this comes such pricing adjustments. 

Being a business owner and a creative are like oil and water sometimes, they don't mix very well.  I'm getting real with you in this blog.  I have mentors...Several mentors, some are more communicative than others.  I understand we're all just people all with the best of intentions and trying to do our best and right now, I'm a very in need of help with my brand and business model, however, with good advice also comes some bad advice, hence the growing pains.  I'm paving out a rocky road in my journey right now.  

I need to figure out a way to price my services and products I'm offering competitively, fairly and still be able to keep my studio.   Mentors are telling me I need an honest cost of doing business analysis, and to keep in mind education costs, medical costs and other things like retirement costs...you know, like a real business when you get a paycheck from a company because guess what, I'm a company. 

How do I do this in a market where alot of my competitors are doing this same thing out of their homes, don't have the overhead that I do, perhaps have help with other costs such as medical and retirement. (I am married and have help with this, however, my husband's business has taken quite-the hit during covid which has forced me to re-evaluate a lot of this....like I said, I'm gettin' real here!)  How do I compete with people that  even do this as a "hobby" and don't pay taxes on the income they take in...  able to offer it "cheaper"?  Do people see the differences in the quality and services that i'm able to offer?  I know we're all a little different; I know as I mentioned I have a few mentors I also am continuously taking new classes, learning new techniques and practicing them.  The learning and improving on my craft and customer service never stops and I love all of it.  

So, yes, I'm a little uncertain about my future with the location move, increased overhead, however, I do believe in myself, my brand and the product and service I offer.  I am forever grateful for my clients, I am forever grateful for my mentors that teach me the most updated styles and safety measures for babies, I am forever grateful for that my job allows me to be creative, which feeds my soul.  (this job is much better than sitting in an office or cubicle in the pharmaceutical world, aka my old world)...

Whether I'm able to continue and offer more product and service and guidance to my clients in 2021, we shall see.    During these rocky, uncertain times and times of change, I have to remember the mantras I have.  One is Dolly Parton's saying about putting up with alot of rain before you get to see that rainbow.  The other is a smooth sea never made for a seasoned sailor.  I say these to other people, I do believe them to be true, I just need to keep repeating to myself to remind myself all of this will work out.  This is all part of the journey.  

The growing pains, the ok I'll say it, anxiety of wondering what the future holds, I'm sure I am being a bit over dramatic, but it's reality.  In the meantime, I'll keep moving forward, and hopefully these rough seas and rocky roads will lead me to the rainbow on the other side.  

Much love.
xo
Denise 

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