Business?....or just a Hobby?

 That's been the Great Debate on my mind as of recently. Yesterday I read an article/blog that Borrow Lenses.com had posted on their Facebook.


http://www.digitalweddingforum.com/blog/a-facebook-warning-for-photographers




 It's an article about Facebook's policy on promoting oneself for profit on their personal accounts instead of their business or fan pages. It got me to thinking, "Perhaps I'm promoting my photography on my profile more than I should be." So I signed up for a business page, or started to. About fifteen minutes into it I thought, Why? I don't charge people, I don't have a business license yet. So wouldn't this classify as a hobby since I don't actually financially "profit" off of photography? Emotionally and artistically, yes I do. But financially... No.  So I changed my mind, to heck with this! How many networking sites does one person need anyway? And if FB banned me would it really be the end of my life? I would most likely not even lose any sleep over the ordeal. If anything it would open up at least a half hour in my daily schedule.     

 Then Today, as I log back into FB, I read another blog on another friend's profile. This blog being a little bit more on the touchy side.
 
http://amyrophotography.com/blog/how-to-pick-a-good-photographer/
 
(Please read How To Pick a Good Photographer, it's really worth knowing, and the rest of what I say will make more sense if you do.)
 
   I found the link to this blog on Kristen Caldwell Photography's FB profile
 
http://www.facebook.com/KristenCaldwellPhotography
 
    Kristen is a truly inspirational photographer, who I have learned much from through her blog, and facebook page. If you're into photography, I would advise you keep an eye on her as well. There is much you can learn from just watching at times you know :) Anyways, she has this to say about the link:

<"I posted this link months back from Amy Ro Photography... I'm posting it again today to reiterate WHY it is so important to pick a good photographer and HOW to pick a good photographer... I myself have worked VERY hard to land myself where I am at today... Long nights and LOTS of free sessions before I even THOUGHT to ...start charging people... and to the individual that sent me that "anonymous" snarky email earlier today, feel free to call me anytime! my number is to the left...">
 
   And I agree with both ladies on all subjects.
 
But of course people's feelings will be hurt. Why? Because people, Especially artists, are also known to be egotists. It's unfortunate that there ARE people out there who claim to be a business when they're not, or they claim their work is good enough to be paid for when it's not. 
 
 I am STILL learning. STILL growing. Not Yet Ready, to be a business. Right now, I have too much going on to consider being a business. Hopefully within a year or two, I will take some classes, get my poop in a group, and have a business. But right now.... I DO NOT charge, because I am learning, and I find it a privilege to photograph people. I offer what I can to those willing to accept it. And I'm enjoying every minute of it. My husband likes to remind me at times, "Things worth having, are worth working really hard for, or worth sacrificing for. So right now, I'm going to do what Kristen Caldwell did, and keep offering long nights and TONS of free session, untill I feel I am proffesional, untill I have more Accreditation.
 
-Rachel Nicole

Choosing to find beauty

Photography is like therapy to me. It's the best kind in my mind. This world is so busy, and chaotic, and when you become an adult all the "understanding" you thought you would have as a child seems to be shaken. I know things are still confusing to me at least. Your view of the world is less naive than it was when you were a child, less peacefull perhaps.... When I've had a very "bad hair day" and my mind focuses on all the negative and harried thoughts, I find that the best thing to do is get behind the lense. I'll load up the car, get the kids, and have my husband drive us off somewhere. Somewhere out past town, somewhere remote. I'll get my camera out, and all in my mind focuses on photography instead of the ucky stuff that may have messed up the rest of my day. I'm not thinking about fairness, or the woes of the world. All I'm thinking about is the beauty that I'm trying to capture. Then when I get the shot, I stop, and realize, I'm no longer upset. Instead I feal satisfied that I've captured some small beauty in the world. It makes me happy that I stopped long enough to notice that beauty. It definitely puts my minute problems into a greater persepective. It's humbling. It's the perfect kind of therapy. Here's to hoping you choose to find the beauty too :)
Rachel Nicole

Every Story Has a Beginning

     Every story has a beginning, I suppose this story (my story) starts when I picked up my first Nikon DSLR, the first time I ever switched out a lense. Last September, of 2009. Ever since then my life has been consumed with the passion of photography. My life has had it's ups and downs, it's fair share of difficulties, especially within this last year. Yet when my hands prepare my camera to shoot, from the moment I put the lense into my camera, I am focused on nothing else but that perfect shot. Relentlessly. Untill artistically I am satisfied, and the world seems a calmer and more pretty space.
   The fact that I am forcing myself to slow down and enjoy lifes simple beauties and treasures is a pretty impressive thought. Think of it. How many times in a day you slow down to gaze over an inticing image, ice cream on a babies nose, a sunrise, a dew drop, a simple smile? I'm all about the details. A very wise friend of mine once said, "If you can't enjoy the little things in life, you won't enjoy anything."
     So I'm slowing down. Evaluating. I'm going to do the things now that I was afraid to do before. Afraid of what you may ask? Of the thought of rejection, the thought of failing? Hmmm.... Well, the thought of blogging about my personal experience through learning to be a photographer appeared to me a long while ago. But the thought of failing, of not knowing how to start, was crippling to me. Now I realize, the possible regret I could feel for not Fully trying to be great would be worse than failing. I need to at least say I tried my best.
    So onto a new adventure! I would be ecstatic if you would join me in this "journey/adventure" to heck "enjoyable pastime" even. I will share with you the knowledge I have gained so far, and explore into new realms of ideas and knowledge and share those with you as well! From how to find or make your own photography props, what are actions and presets, the difference between photoshops, posing tips, creating your own website, other blogs that I visit, some arts and crafts, GIVEAWAYS, and Mommy stuff inbetween. I want to cover it all, and share it with you!
   I'm really ecstatic I decided to do this! And I hope you'll join me again :)
Rachel Nicole

   P.S. Check out my website and project statement at www.lookingglassproject.yolasite.com