Blooming hope & grace epiphany
Happy New Year everyone!
Wow! What a year we have had! 2020 has definitely been a challenging one for us all. It was supposed to a big year for me and my family in so many ways. A milestone anniversary for my husband and I, 16th birthday for my bonus son, 18th birthday for my daughter, oh and I turned forty, but no need to focus on that one too much. We had so many plans to celebrate these things, but the universe had other plans for us all. Its so easy to list all the things that have went wrong but this year I decided I really want to focus on what is going right. I put so much energy on finding the positive in everything I could, even while being surrounded by so much that was out of my control. Sometimes it’s the littlest of things that can really help change our perspective, and we all know perspective is everything! This year has shown me all of this in so many ways, from my parenting, to my Faith, to my photography business. Learning to overcome and adapt to every situation this year has tested my faith so much and has pushed to grow so far outside of my comfort zone. Blessings come is all kinds of disguises sometimes.
Another big first for me was this year was my first full year of turning my hobby into a business as a photographer. When I finally got the courage to chase my dreams behind the camera, I had no idea how much this was going to change my life and my perspective on how I see myself. I didn’t really understand how much the first year would be about finding out who I really am, on personal level and as a photographer. Finding your “signature style” as a photographer is one of the first hard things you go though. Are you “dark and moody” or “ light and airy” etc…. This signature style is mostly at the basis in which you shoot and how you edit, it’s to help your client understand what to expect when they receive their gallery. The funny thing about this is usually you have found it before you even realize it which was the case with me. I was showing a photo I had just finished editing to my husband, he looked at me and said “the color in your photos give people the feeling of hope for what they wish to see in the world”. It was at that moment I realized I had already found my signature style, Colorful. Sometimes a little darker, sometimes a little brighter, but always colorful. Which honestly matches my personality pretty darn well.
The confidence that comes along with this moment was way more than what I expected, I knew that this would help my editing style but I didn’t realize the personal growth I was going to experience from this moment. That compliment from my husband really stuck with me! Could I really be inspiring people though my photos? Do they really feel hope from the images I deliver to them? I knew I really wanted him to be right… I hoped they felt the joy that I did when I finished the gallery and sent it to them. These types of thoughts played over and over in my head as I was trying to figure out exactly what I was being called to do. Then it hit me…I am, as I usually do, overthinking it. It’s actually pretty simple… I need to keep doing what I am doing….just do it more intentionally! Investing hope and joy into my work and doing it with love and grace… can inspire anyone who might be looking for it and maybe someone who isn’t even expecting it.
This epiphany has led me to a greater understanding of a deeper desire that culminates in a more profound direction. While photography for me is my way of sharing a story I fail to put into words, there are still so many words I want to share with the world. I am beyond excited to add a blog to my photography website which I will also share on Facebook and Instagram. My blog will be a balance of all things photography… to all things inspiring that spark joy, help find hope, and show grace. All of the things I feel this world needs more of… something beautiful to look at and something positive to focus on. This addition though has helped me realize that its time to change the name of my photography business. I have known this for while as the name has never felt quite right. I tried changing the logo but that wasn’t the issue either. I could never quite put my finger on it, but knew I was looking for a change. Now I feel that all of this has come together for me to see that the name of my photography business should reflect more of who I am and what I want to share with the world.
Bloom wildly better, and do it with grace. Lead with kindness, and find joy in the little things. Never lose hope, and let all you do be done in love.
Kristina M. Lamb
