Well, it’s been a long time coming, but I’ve finally made the decision to pull up my big-boy pants and step into the world of small business.
After a long career working for other people, following orders and doing stuff that usually didn’t amount to anything of importance, I finally get to do things that matter to me. My wife is loving it, because it means more time together, more traveling to interesting places and meeting interesting people. Frankly, I’m terrified. To me, it means constantly wondering when – or if – my next gig is going to materialize.
It means I have to step out of my comfort zone and do some personal marketing for a change. As much as I hate the idea, I’m also excited at the prospect of stepping out into the world on my own. Well, with my wife’s help, of course.
So what am I going to do with all this newfound creative freedom?
I’m going back to my first love. Photography.
When I was in high school I carried my camera everywhere. I studied all the photography magazines and tried to emulate the styles of some of my favorite photographers. Ansel Adams and Annie Leibovitz were my idols. I did my best to copy their style and failed miserably.
But that was then. A lot of things have changed. For one, I’ve learned a lot in the intervening years, mostly by trial and error. And thanks to Photoshop, I can now make my landscapes look almost as good as Ansel Adams’. Almost.
I’m still working on making my portraits look like Annie’s.
I know it’s not going to be easy. I have a feeling I’m going to have to stumble and fall a few times before I can run, but that’s all part of growing. A few skinned knees never killed anyone. As far as I know.