Some Weeks Are Harder Than Others

On creativity, comparison, and continuing anyway

Is it too much to be real and admit that sometimes this industry feels heartbreaking?!

I love photography deeply. I love creating for people, preserving memories, documenting fleeting moments, and giving people images they’ll treasure for years. But lately, I’ve felt the weight of how often creative work is expected to come freely.

Every day there seems to be another request for a free shoot, another person asking to “build portfolio together,” another reminder that so many people still view photography as a hobby instead of a career.

And I understand it — truly. The world feels heavy right now. Everything is expensive. People are struggling financially in ways we’ve all felt at one point or another.

But this is also how I survive.

This is my art, my business, my livelihood, and something I’ve spent over fifteen years pouring myself into. So when the work you love is constantly undervalued, it can slowly chip away at your confidence if you let it.

Especially when you already struggle with self-doubt and impostor syndrome behind the scenes.

Recently, attending the Lens & Light Summit reminded me of something I already knew deep down, but needed to hear again: I am a good photographer. An amazing one, even. And I deserve to be paid properly for my time, creativity, experience, and energy.

Hard stop.

I don’t want this post to become a rant, though honestly… this is my blog, and maybe that’s exactly what blogs are for sometimes. A place to process things honestly instead of pretending everything is constantly polished and perfect.

Some weeks are simply harder than others.

I’m writing this on Friday morning when I usually finish my blog posts on Thursdays. But yesterday was difficult. I found myself comparing my journey to other people’s successes, feeling discouraged for not being further along in my business, questioning whether I’m doing enough, creating enough, achieving enough.

But today feels softer.

I woke up bright and early to sunshine pouring through the windows, average May temperatures instead of ninety-degree heat, and the reminder that not every day has to feel heavy forever.

This morning, I get to take a walk with friends. I have sourdough baking in the oven. And most importantly, I officially registered my business:

The Sunshine Collective LLC.

Even typing those words feels surreal.

So maybe I’m not exactly where I want to be yet. Maybe there’s still a long road ahead. But there are still beautiful things happening quietly in the middle of it all.

And if you’re here reading this — supporting my work, sharing my photos, booking sessions, encouraging me, or simply following along — thank you.

Truly.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making my life feel like a touch of magic.