Everyone needs a few good people in their corner. These are the people that will be honest, direct, and extremely supportive of you and your dreams.

After having coffee yesterday morning with a client-turned-friend, I was reminded of a very simple, yet extremely important concept that I sometimes forget. Remember to be myself. Keep it real. Do YOU.

I’ve been in business for over 15 years now. At times I wasn’t entirely true to myself and was being a stuffier, strictly-business, version of myself.

I didn’t always make decisions with my heart, but instead by the books.

I was often afraid someone was going to find out that I was a phony. That I was actually ME, and not the business owner they thought I should be.

I found that I was runing my business the way I thought a six-figure salary client would want me to. Not remembering that my clients are real people, whether they make six-figures or not.

I often struggled for inspiration. I started to look and feel just like every other photographer out there today.

I wasn’t standing out in the crowd, because I wasn’t being myself. (Don’t worry guys, I’m back. This was a time in my life that I needed to go through. I’m not there any longer.)

When I first started this business, the bio I had posted on my website gave a pretty good picture of who I am.

I wanted to attract clients that were similar in personality. More importantly, I wanted my clients to turn into my friends. I am extremely lucky to say that this has happened more times than not.

At one point, I realized that I had stopped talking about how my favorite color was yellow (because I grew up feeling bad for the color, thinking no one else liked it) and started talking about myself and my business using a third person reference. (Who am I, Jimmy from Seinfield?)

That isn’t me. It has never been me. In fact, I hate talking about myself.

I am the girl that talks fast while using my hands (which often knock things over at parties).

I love caffeine and a good glass of red wine.

I love girl talk … I’ll talk about your pregnancy all day long.

I AM the girl that still loves the color yellow (mostly because I still feel bad for it).

This is truly ME.

I may not be the right photographer for everyone. I am definitely not the perfect match for everyone.

But I no longer care about those things.

What I do care about is being able to go to bed every night with a clear conscience, knowing that I tried my hardest in life and business, while being no one other than myself.

I care about being present (I mean really, fully, truly present) while watching my son grow into the amazing little man that he is becoming.

I care about being the loving, supportive, less-stressed, wife I know I can be.

I care about finding clients that love ME just as much as my work. As a photography educator and workshop instructor, I often tell photographers to be sure to hold out for clients that are the perfect fit. Just like holding out for the perfect partner in life.

You may see a few more personal posts on our blog in the near future.

I’m going to be chatting more candidly about my life, my dreams, my interests (which often include a cocktail and a vacation), my parenting style (which I’m still working on figuring out — this toddler-raising stuff is no joke), and most importantly, the things that bring me happiness and make me, ME. I am going to be as real and honest as I can be while remembering to be myself.

Thank you Amanda for being the straight-shooter you are and reminding me to always stay true to myself. And HUGE thanks to you guys, for being in my corner!!

xo, Jenni