THE STORY BEHIND MY PHOTO BUSINESS

Hi everyone!?

Some weeks ago, I was surprised to know that some of my friends and acquaintances aren’t aware that I'm running my own business since 2020.

To be honest, I'm scared. Saying to the world that I am living my dream is pretty scary!

Many people are terrified of starting their own business. They dream about it, but fear hinders them from taking the first step. It was no different to me.

I dreamed of starting a photo business one day, despite being discouraged to do so, since it's difficult to succeed in the Norwegian market as a photographer. I was also too comfortable with my 9.00 to 17.00pm job.

After all, it was a steady job as a product photographer at an award winning company.

“Why bother chasing after my dreams if all is good? I will be working here for many years.”- I thought.

In October 2019, after an epic vacation trip to my home country Portugal, I was called to the office and informed that I was going to be laid off due to budget issues.

Fear crippled over me. Sadness, loss, despair, not feeling I was good enough and feeling rejected…

I felt it all at once right there, and for the next 8 months ahead. I entered into the darkest period of my life. I was hurting, depressed, unmotivated, hopeless, devastated, lost… with nothing to give and without a purpose. I didn’t have the strength to pick myself up and keep fighting like I used to. Felt like I was hit by a truck.

?

“You will quickly find something else!”,

“ You are so talented, it’s going to be easy for you to find a new job!”,

“This is for the better, you will see!”

?

Work colleagues tried to be empathetic, hoping that those words would be enough to help me move forward. Little did they know how it actually felt like to grief over something that meant a lot to me. My job has become part of my identity and happiness. Losing it was like a part of me had died.

“Who am I, if I am not the photographer working at “x” company?”- I thought.

After 8 months of darkness, I slowly began to take steps towards the light again with the unshakable love and support of my beloved husband and my closest friend, Linda.?They believed in me more than I believed in myself.

I went to different media and film companies, talked to several people and extended my network, hoping to be rescued by merciful hands. Hoping to feel hope again. Hoping to find a purpose again. All I wanted was to get a job.

Doors were shutting down. Pandemic was now affecting the market and many people lost their jobs. How was I going to find a job knowing the crises we were all in?

??????????????????????????????I just wanted to feel alive again,

???????????????????????????????feel useful and productive.

Eventually, I got a job in April 2020, as a tree planter. My only hope at the time! I took the chance since it was so hard to find something else. Little did I know what I was putting myself into.

From April to June, I worked like a horse only to pay the daily packed food and the fuel expenses from driving from planting site to site. I wasn’t making enough money. In tree planting, you earn per tree planted. The more you plant, the more you earn. I had an average of 250-300 trees planted a day which is about 750 NOK for 8 hours of work.

It was a physically and mentally demanding job that required strength and will power. Something I struggled with. You have to show up, no matter the weather. No matter if you get soaked by the rain, burned by the sun, eaten by mosquitoes, bitten by poisonous snakes, froze by cold wind, hurt on your feet by the rough, steep and uneven terrain, you have to do the work! No matter the challenges.

I was frustrated and feeling quite miserable and exhausted because I knew I could do better than this. But, why are you complaining? At least you had a job, and quite a meaningful one that the future generations will benefit from, you may think. Yes, I did. And for that I was very thankful.

The issue lies in comparing the dream career I had before as a photographer and the humble tree planting job now. I felt like I was nothing, stuck and humiliated. I felt like giving up many times.

Looking back, I now know I needed to go through that character shaping process and experience, to humble myself and never take anything for granted. I learned to a higher degree, how to deal with hardships and the importance of being thankful for what I have.

I also learned that your value as a person doesn’t change because of the job you have. It’s not about W H A T you do but W H O you are. What a valuable lesson that was to me!

Life changes and nothing is certain. Pandemic taught us all that!

Things happen in life and hopefully we are able to take the best out of it. Hardships are difficult to endure, but I believe they come our way so we can grow. If not, what would be the point of suffering?

After tree planting, I started my own business as a product and commercial photographer. Something I didn’t see coming. It has been a learning curve and a choice I don't regret taking. I’ve been building a network of customers that has been a pleasure to work with. They trust me and I surely do my best to deliver creative and high quality photos that cannot be easily found in the market. I work from home where my photo studio and office are.

Losing my job opened doors to new possibilities and choices. Could pain be turned into blessings? Yes, sometimes, I believe.

This is the story behind my photo business. A story where suffering led me to follow my dreams. I'm living my dream today and I am here to hopefully inspire you to do the same.

I don’t know where in life you are now. If you are struggling, if you are considering starting a company or ending it, if you are afraid of pursuing that job you have been dreaming of…

I hope you overcome your fears, find the courage and strength you need to take the first step in the direction you want and need.

In this life you may fail, you may go through unbearable pain, but keep moving on. Don’t give up and God will bless your efforts! Remember to be fair and genuinely kind to those around you during your journey.

Starting my own business, ignited my passion for the profession again and gave me the drive I needed to accomplish what I thought to be impossible. I am currently trying to look for new customers and creative projects to engage in, like this recent work produced to a dear customer:

What steps can you take to overcome your fears?