📸 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Photography Journey

🌱 The Beginning Was Messier Than It Looked

When I first started photography, I thought talent would be the hardest part.

I thought if I just learned my settings, bought decent gear, and posted consistently, everything would fall into place.

It didn’t.

Growth was slower.

Confidence came later.

And some lessons took years to fully understand.

Here are the things I genuinely wish someone had told me earlier.

1. 📷 Gear Won’t Make You Great — But It Can Remove Friction

For a long time, I believed upgrading gear was unnecessary — like I needed to “earn” better equipment.

What I didn’t realize is that the right gear doesn’t make you talented… it makes your vision easier to execute.

When I eventually upgraded, I noticed:

• More consistent focus

• Better low-light performance

• Less time fixing mistakes in editing

• More confidence during sessions

  
  

I wish I had known that investing in tools isn’t ego — it’s efficiency.

2. 🤍 Confidence Doesn’t Come First — Action Does

I waited for confidence before raising prices.

Before pitching vendors.

Before claiming my niche.

Confidence didn’t magically appear.

It came from:

• Showing up nervous

• Delivering galleries anyway

• Hearing clients cry over their photos

• Seeing growth over time

  
  

If I could go back, I’d tell myself: You don’t need to feel ready. You need to start.

3. 💸 Pricing Is About Sustainability, Not Just Skill

Early on, I priced based on fear.

Fear of losing bookings.

Fear of not being “good enough.”

Fear of what people would say.

What I didn’t understand is that pricing reflects:

• Time

• Experience

• Equipment

• Editing hours

• Emotional energy

  
  

Underpricing didn’t make me more booked — it made me burned out.

4. 🎨 Style Develops Through Repetition, Not

Comparison

I used to compare constantly.

Other photographers.

Other edits.

Other feeds.

The truth? Style isn’t something you choose overnight.

It forms through:

• Hundreds of sessions

• Mistakes

• Experiments

• Trying and refining

  
  

Once I stopped chasing trends, my work became more cohesive — and more mine.

5. 📅 Boundaries Protect Creativity

I didn’t have strong boundaries in the beginning.

I answered emails at midnight.

Over-delivered constantly.

Said yes to everything.

It wasn’t sustainable.

Boundaries didn’t push clients away — they attracted better ones.

Clear communication and realistic timelines actually improved my client experience.

6. 🌄 The Experience Matters as Much as the Photos

This might be the biggest one.

Clients don’t just remember how their photos look — they remember how they felt.

Were they rushed?

Were they stressed?

Did they feel awkward?

Or…

Did they feel comfortable?

Seen?

Encouraged?

Learning how to create an experience — not just images — changed my business entirely.

7. 🤍 Growth Is Quieter Than You Expect

No single moment made me feel like I “arrived.”

Instead, growth looked like:

• Fewer mistakes

• Faster editing

• Stronger galleries

• Better client communication

• More aligned bookings

  
  

It happened gradually.

And one day I looked back and realized how far I had come.

✨ What I’d Tell My Younger Self

You are not behind.

You are not late.

You are not less talented than the people you compare yourself to.

Keep going.

Learn the business side earlier.

Protect your creativity.

Invest in yourself sooner.

Trust your instincts more.

The rest unfolds.

🤍 Final Thoughts

If you’re at the beginning of your photography journey, I hope this encourages you.

And if you’re a client reading this — know that every lesson learned has shaped how I show up for you today.

The growth.

The refinement.

The boundaries.

The confidence.

It all exists so your experience can be smooth, intentional, and meaningful.

📸 View my current work

💌 Inquire to book a session

📍 Utah-based, always traveling