09/01/2024
Today marks my 3 year business anniversary and I’m taking time to reflect on the rollercoaster ride its been.
While I have been in photo/video for 6 years total, I formed my own business back on Sept. 1st, 2021. This whole career wasn’t an inherit calling of mine but I knew I had to get out of restaurants as a wine director.
So for first 3 years, I learned how to shoot & edited photos (before AI was around) then switched to video. During that time, I got to meet a lot of people and that would later prove to be invaluable.
After I moved back home to Baltimore in August 2021, I had no car, no business, no employment history, and no income history, besides some pandemic assistance money I saved up along with my cameras.
Once back home, I used what I had to buy a car with 50% down, got business insurance and filed for business formation, leaving me with nothing left. I went all in because I had fallen in love with the craft.
But then something remarkable happened that proved money & gear isn’t the only key to success - it was more personal. All those brief interactions I had made during my first 3 years guided me to join
Back then, the group had 300 people. The community immediately accepted me and I started getting associate shooting gigs left & right.
Even after getting hit by a car while riding my bike in May 2022, having broken my foot and almost lost an eye, I still shot 75 weddings in 2022 alone realizing my purpose was for something greater.
Since the community embraced me, I embraced it. I came in & did exactly I did before: built up a business, built up a community then built a conference.
Today, that community is sitting at 2,000 people and our conference is in its 3rd year with all the top camera vendors plus iconic photographers and 200+ attendees, our biggest year yet.
I am beyond grateful to everyone who has ever supported me and the meaningful relationships I have formed since. Thank you for giving me the best years of my life.
I hope my journey may serve as a reminder that even if you start with nothing, you can rise stronger by staying committed with both your mind and your heart.
📸: Shenna Hair
