It was August 2013 when I decided to move to the big city and start a wedding photography business. I was so excited to build a website and order business cards. I made sure to have a flexible job lined up, substituting at a local school, in case my business idea didn’t pay the bills. Safety nets are sort of my thing.
However, I did not account for snow days. I was barely substituting enough days to pay bills. I kept telling myself, “If I just get a normal job, I wouldn’t have to stress about bills.”
But I’ve always dreaded the idea of a normal job. I knew that a full-time job would extinguish all the dreams I had of owning my own business.
So, I refused. I reconfigured my viewpoint on what success and happiness was worth sacrificing. Did I need to live in the city in order to feel successful? No. Did I need to continue doing photography? Yes.
When I finally figured out what I cared about most, I threw out every conventional idea I had previously known about success. I bought an RV and asked around to see if anyone was willing to let me park in their backyard. Viola! No rent. No stress. And the freedom to go absolutely anywhere, whenever I felt the desire.
This solution may not be suitable for everyone. My RV is not for the claustrophobic. But, I had to rid myself of conventional views of success. I had to develop my own terms. And in the end, that’s how my business survived a snowstorm.
Christine Williams is a Lexington, Kentucky-based photographer who prefers to think of herself as a storyteller. She loves surprises, imperfections and happy endings. Most of all, she loves days that give memories. Goldieandchristine.com.
Imagery by Christine Williams
