What’s Happening

I survived last week’s Shingles vaccine. While the day after laid me flat I was able to function the following few days but all of the aches and yucky feelings didn’t leave my body until Saturday. So thankful that is behind me! Apparently some people don’t have any type of reaction at all. Lucky me.

• Saturday was raining here at our house so we headed East. My weather nerd husband had checked the radar and we drove all the way to the Klickitat river to escape the rain. We hiked along the river.  Our drive paid off, the weather was perfect. It was dead calm and very comfortable outside. Lucy even decided it was swimming weather and happily fetched a stick in the water over and over again.
• Jeff and I planned our “Summer” vacation. Last Summer with the wedding and then my foot surgery there wasn’t a lot of adventure happening. I have always wanted to explore Yellowstone and the surrounding area. So we are finally doing it! I can’t wait to hike and just be in nature! We will also be visiting the Tetons and the Jackson, Wyoming area. I’m so excited! I may turn back into a nature photographer during that trip!
• The February edition of SFPNews went out. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter click here http://madmimi.com/signups/f92831e48f4c4758a38ad3779e2d9f9b/join

My Journey Part 3 – Shelly Fry Photography

For the past couple of weeks I have been sharing some of my journey towards becoming a professional photographer and small business owner. If you’d like to start at the beginning click here https://shellyfryphotography.com/my-everyday/shelly-fry-photography-battle-ground-wa-2

Today it’s all about  “the waiting place” to borrow from Dr. Seuss.

Initially, there were several people who asked me to photograph them. I think it’s normal in this stage to think about being a professional. You hear stories of people who bought a $300 camera off of Craig’s List and booked 35 weddings the same year! You are just sure that will be your story as well!  However, just to be very clear THAT WAS NOT MY STORY.

After the initial buzz things slow way, way down… and all of the self doubt comes erupting to the surface. Every mean, discouraging, disheartening thought there is plagues you each day. All of the self doubt that was laying quietly below your thin skin comes busting through.  You question everything from your abilities to your pricing. 

There is no such thing as “peace and quiet” when you’re a business owner

The periods of quiet are unnerving. Those long silences test you and make you question what on earth you think you are doing?! I have a business that is very seasonal. I have huge spikes in the Spring and Fall that are very validating. My calendar fills up with the blossoms on the trees and then again when the leaves change into a riot of colors. During those times I am so happily challenged, super busy and encouraged.

However, it’s those times in-between… “the waiting place”  that really challenge me. 

Those Darn Gaps

January, February, March and then July and August are usually very, very quiet. I never know what is coming during these months. Pre-pandemic, there were fundraisers, family reunions, parties and weddings sprinkled through here.  It’s during these quiet seasons that I get very unsure of myself.  It’s the waiting to see that is so very hard. How do I fill those gaps? I have to market myself constantly which I despise! It’s a necessary evil of the job but it’s no fun putting yourself out there consistently. 

Easier With Time

With the years of experience my skin has thickened. I certainly have learned with time to be a bit tougher.  And with the added stress of this pandemic the future seems so uncertain. I had significantly fewer families booked last fall. My season was full of graduating seniors (which I love) but I did notice fewer family sessions as well as weddings.  I remember starting out hearing that businesses usually fail within the first 3 years. Once I passed that milestone (and now more than twice that) I feel very thankful. I really love what I get to do. It is a stressf_ul, uncertain path but it can be very rewarding. I have met so many beautiful people. I have had the joy of hearing (on many occasions) how thankful people are for beautiful images of themselves and of their family members. 

I have had the absolute privilege of being part of beautiful moments, and a few very sad ones.  I love the variety of this job. With the unknown are unexpected opportunities. Some days I am photographing a family in field, other days I am on a jet ski photographing people playing in the water. Next week I will share some of my favorite locations and my dream locations for shoots. 

What I Read

Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho

I have moved my book reviews to my monthly newsletter you can click here to see last month’s reviews https://madmimi.com/p/1d65d11/preview

Our book club meets next week and it is my turn to reveal. This is always an exciting and nerve wracking time in my life! So many books to choose from. I am a bit notorious for picking arguably the worst book ever! It was 2012 and I was desperately searching Powells (sigh remember those days…)  I wanted to find something unique and, of course, gripping, thought provoking, and an overall big hit with the group. For reasons I can’t explain all these years later I landed on The Cave by Jose Saramago.  To sum up the book NOTHING HAPPENS!!! Seriously 307 pages of nothing. Not only does nothing happen in the story there aren’t any paragraphs and precious few periods with only a sprinkling of commas here and there to break up the monotony. YIKES! 

So needless to say… even all these years later I still feel the need to make up for putting our book club through that (one claims to have loved it but I don’t believe her for a second!) I will let you know next week what I’ve chosen.

What’s Next

I’m still really enjoying cooking as well as baking. Sadly, I have blitzed through all of “The Great British Baking Show” episodes.  I guess I will just start over. I love having it on while I cook in the kitchen. Next on my “to bake” list is povitica – I’m not sure when I will muster up the courage to give it a try but it looks so fun, not to mention yummy! Has anyone made this? If so I would love to chat!

Thanks for popping by friends! I hope you have a lovely day!