I haven't blogged in three weeks. And only two people have asked me about it -- my mom and a long-distance friend who was concerned for my well-being. Haha! I'm thinking this might support my hypothesis that people aren't reading wedding photography blogs as much as they used to?
Prior to these past three weeks, I've blogged 3-4 times per week for EIGHT YEARS. And there's nothing to say except I hit a wall. It was like God said, "Take a break." And then left me with a total peace about doing so. And it HAS to be God, because let me tell you, I normally would be anxiety-ridden at the thought of leaving my blog unattended for 3 weeks!
My blog has long been the engine that has driven my business. It sells me to potential clients, connects me with vendors and other photographers, and helps me share my heart and my brand with others. But I feel like times are changing. Brides are spending their time on Pinterest, photographers are on Instagram, and all of our attention spans are too short to want to click through to find out more. We just browse and tap rather than interacting. Brides still look at wedding blogs like Style Me Pretty for inspiration, but I don't see them spending as much time on photographers' blogs other than if they are wanting to see more of their portfolios when they are looking to hire one of us.
Of course, this is all just my impression. I don't have any hard evidence to corroborate these findings. But in talking with other photographers and industry colleagues, many are sensing the same shift.
I'm not sure what to do with all this, but I just know that what used to work for me isn't working anymore. 2014 has been a hard year for my business. It seems like doors that used to open fairly easily for me aren't doing so anymore. Instead I find myself hitting a wall. Again and again. And not just as it relates to blogging, but in numerous other areas.
I'm still in the midst of this journey, but I feel like I've gained enough perspective to know that God is allowing this to happen to get me uncomfortable enough to abandon the route I was bound and determined to take, in favor of a different path that will hopefully serve me and my business well for the long-run. I wish I could spell this all out for you, but I'm still reflecting on it and praying through it all.
I think I'll look back on 2014 and see a year of huge changes for my business. This is my 11th year in business. The younger me would have thought I would have had it all figured out by now. The side of me that loves systems, would like to think that I could invent a system for everything and then just let the systems run. But unfortunately, neither of these ideals is rooted in reality. At least when it comes to the wedding photography industry, I don't think there will ever be a permanent state of "figuring everything out." Even though there may be victories and good years, and times when things are going smoothly -- at the risk of sounding like a complete downer -- they are at best temporary. Why? Two reasons:
1. This industry is extremely competitive and extremely innovative.
2. Change is happening and technology is advancing at break-neck speeds.
If you insist on doing the same things year after year only because they've worked for you in the past, you will quickly find yourself left in the dust and going out of business.
I share all of this just to be real and honest and vulnerable for those who might think having your own small business is all glamor and flexibility and success. It's not. It's really tough. And it doesn't get easier with time and experience. It only changes. So you don't ever get the luxury of getting off the hamster wheel. You just occasionally need to jump onto another one. So that's what I'm doing. Adapting. Embracing change.
The great thing is, I'm super-excited about what the future holds. Even though it might look different than what I expected at the beginning of this year, it promises to be inspiring, challenging and life-giving. Mostly because God is the one guiding my every step. I would be a mess without Christ. A fetal-position-on-the-floor-blubbering-mess.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly trust in Jesus' name."
So what does this mean going forward? There are some fun things I've been working on that I'm excited to share with you soon. Stay tuned. But for now, I will be scaling back a bit on blogging. Not abandoning my blog all-together, but blogging a bit less. Maybe 1-2 times per week. I'll be posting on Instagram more frequently if you want to connect with me there -- @melissajill.
And photographers -- I will be on ShowIt Live tomorrow morning at 10am PST talking about Selling Albums Profitably and Efficiently. You can join me here and post any questions you'd like answered regarding album sales and workflow. I hope you'll tune in!
Prior to these past three weeks, I've blogged 3-4 times per week for EIGHT YEARS. And there's nothing to say except I hit a wall. It was like God said, "Take a break." And then left me with a total peace about doing so. And it HAS to be God, because let me tell you, I normally would be anxiety-ridden at the thought of leaving my blog unattended for 3 weeks!
My blog has long been the engine that has driven my business. It sells me to potential clients, connects me with vendors and other photographers, and helps me share my heart and my brand with others. But I feel like times are changing. Brides are spending their time on Pinterest, photographers are on Instagram, and all of our attention spans are too short to want to click through to find out more. We just browse and tap rather than interacting. Brides still look at wedding blogs like Style Me Pretty for inspiration, but I don't see them spending as much time on photographers' blogs other than if they are wanting to see more of their portfolios when they are looking to hire one of us.
Of course, this is all just my impression. I don't have any hard evidence to corroborate these findings. But in talking with other photographers and industry colleagues, many are sensing the same shift.
I'm not sure what to do with all this, but I just know that what used to work for me isn't working anymore. 2014 has been a hard year for my business. It seems like doors that used to open fairly easily for me aren't doing so anymore. Instead I find myself hitting a wall. Again and again. And not just as it relates to blogging, but in numerous other areas.
I'm still in the midst of this journey, but I feel like I've gained enough perspective to know that God is allowing this to happen to get me uncomfortable enough to abandon the route I was bound and determined to take, in favor of a different path that will hopefully serve me and my business well for the long-run. I wish I could spell this all out for you, but I'm still reflecting on it and praying through it all.
I think I'll look back on 2014 and see a year of huge changes for my business. This is my 11th year in business. The younger me would have thought I would have had it all figured out by now. The side of me that loves systems, would like to think that I could invent a system for everything and then just let the systems run. But unfortunately, neither of these ideals is rooted in reality. At least when it comes to the wedding photography industry, I don't think there will ever be a permanent state of "figuring everything out." Even though there may be victories and good years, and times when things are going smoothly -- at the risk of sounding like a complete downer -- they are at best temporary. Why? Two reasons:
1. This industry is extremely competitive and extremely innovative.
2. Change is happening and technology is advancing at break-neck speeds.
If you insist on doing the same things year after year only because they've worked for you in the past, you will quickly find yourself left in the dust and going out of business.
I share all of this just to be real and honest and vulnerable for those who might think having your own small business is all glamor and flexibility and success. It's not. It's really tough. And it doesn't get easier with time and experience. It only changes. So you don't ever get the luxury of getting off the hamster wheel. You just occasionally need to jump onto another one. So that's what I'm doing. Adapting. Embracing change.
The great thing is, I'm super-excited about what the future holds. Even though it might look different than what I expected at the beginning of this year, it promises to be inspiring, challenging and life-giving. Mostly because God is the one guiding my every step. I would be a mess without Christ. A fetal-position-on-the-floor-blubbering-mess.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly trust in Jesus' name."
So what does this mean going forward? There are some fun things I've been working on that I'm excited to share with you soon. Stay tuned. But for now, I will be scaling back a bit on blogging. Not abandoning my blog all-together, but blogging a bit less. Maybe 1-2 times per week. I'll be posting on Instagram more frequently if you want to connect with me there -- @melissajill.
And photographers -- I will be on ShowIt Live tomorrow morning at 10am PST talking about Selling Albums Profitably and Efficiently. You can join me here and post any questions you'd like answered regarding album sales and workflow. I hope you'll tune in!
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