This week I'm doing a Q&A about myself and focusing on career. As a senior photographer I thought maybe they want to get a peek into the career path of a photographer.
20 in 20
CAREER
1. What’s your favorite thing about your current job?
Seniors. I am loving photographing seniors and creating unique sessions.
2. What annoys you most?
When people show up late to the session. The sun waits for no one. Oh and "She can just photoshop that." Ugh!!
3. What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of?
There's a few.
Best of 2020 Senior Year Magazine
2015 Nashville Parent Best Photographer for my portrait photography
Five page spread in High Shelf Press for my women's fine art photography
4. Do you think you’ll stay in your current gig awhile? Why or why not?
I do. I just took a few years off and I'm refreshed and inspired.
5. What type of role do you want to take on after this one?
I am currently writing a memoir about my breakdown and the years that led up to it, while I was in it and how I rose back up. So I guess a published author. I hope to help other women have hope and direction. I would also like to mentor other women on how to navigate the midlife crisis we are all bound to take.
6. Are you more of a "work to live" or a "live to work" type of person?
Work to live. I love traveling and taking spiritual quests. I work to allow myself and my family those opportunities.
7. Does your job make you feel happy and fulfilled? Why or why not?
Yes. I love having an outlet to create that helps others. I love hearing how excited a client is when they see their images or how a senior's session made her feel like a model. It's rewarding to know I've brought beauty into this world.
8. How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do now?
Shocked. My 10 year-old self was more focused on going in a stable direction like doctor. I learned quick that wasn't happen as bodily fluids gross me out. I also wasn't as creative then. My 20 year old self would be surprised as well.
9. What do you remember most about your first job?
I loved the people I worked with. Many went to my high school and I even had a couple close friends working with me.
10. How old were you when you started working?
I was 17 and it was cashier at a grocery store.
11. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Marketing people in front of a CVS when I first moved to Nashville. Asking people to buy things is not an easy thing for me.
12. What originally got you interested in your current field of work?
Photographing my daughter Julia when she was a baby. My dad was also an amateur photographer so I grew up being around photography.
13. Have you ever had a side hustle or considered having one?
My side hustle is real estate. I'm a realtor on the side at Exit Realty Music City. Lucrative side hustle I know.
14. What’s your favorite part of the workday?
Right now it's working on marketing and business sense. I'm teaching myself so many new techniques like Canva and social media and the new ways of SEO. I'm doing it right this time and this is all very interesting to me.
15. What’s the best career decision you’ve ever made?
Taking time off from my business and regroup and refresh. I was burnt out and hating my work. I knew it was time.
16. What’s the worst career decision you’ve ever made?
Sticking with a job and no longer loving it or finding joy in it. I believe this is they way of life be it jobs, friendships, goals, etc. If it no longer gives you joy then move on. We get one life and one of the biggest goals should be living it with joy.
17. Do you consider yourself good at networking?
I do not and that is a weakness. I have been making a bigger attempt to reach out to complimentary businesses, interact more on social media and have registered for a Senior Photography Retreat with Seniorologie in May. Super excited for that opportunity.
18. What career advice would you give to your younger self?
Make a business plan!
19. Do you believe in having a "five-year plan"?
Yes.
20. How do you separate your work life from your home life?
That is a difficult one for me as I work in my house and have a hard time turning off at the end of the day and switching back to mom and wife mode. However I've been working hard to stay in my home office during the day and not leave to do laundry, straighten, etc. It is something I have had to work at.