You will not be the photographer for everyone. You will not be the right fit for everyone. You will not be liked by everyone. You will not have an editing style or shooting style that resonates with everyone. You will not make everyone happy.

That’s not your job.

But you will be the right photographer, the right fit for someone. There will be people who can see themselves in your work, who feel connected to you & love what it is that you are doing.

Your job is to showcase who you are, why you do what you do, & how you do it. Your people are out there. Your job is to make those people happy.

Every single one of us have gone through the beginnings of building a client base. At the start, you may not be sure who your ideal client is. In the middle, it feels like you are somewhere between taking every opportunity that presents itself & only working with clients who truly value what it is that you offer. Every photographer wants to build a financially sustainable business, but also be in a position to be more thoughtful about what you put on your books. This journey is not linear, friends. It’s a roller coaster. But, I think it’s still important to be reminded that you should absolutely set yourself apart. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things to learn from each other, that we can’t share creative space, or share ideas, or have common interests as a community. But the reason why there is enough room at the table is because every single photographer - no matter how little or how big this industry becomes - has something unique to offer. There are thousands of photographers, but only one like you. So, show the world that.

XO, Dakota