Things always happen for a reason. It’s one of my go-to sayings. Jereme and I have lived in 4 different states within the last 4 years. Each time we moved, we were excited to await the new adventures. Upstate New York was a winter wonderland 24/7, Colorado is a dream location with beautiful mountain views and endless amount of activities to do, and Virginia is gorgeous and filled with historical sites. Even though we’ve had the opportunity to travel and live in some beautiful areas, it still wasn’t home. Anyone who has experienced moving around a lot (especially to different states!) is always exciting but scary. And the biggest reason why I was scared: I was scared to move my business yet AGAIN to another new location.

By this point, I was ready to move back to Austin and be near friends and family again.  I was ready to start my business in my home town, where everything was so familiar: locations, venues, the people, etc. I kept getting myself down, and telling myself, “If only I can have my business back home…I feel like I would be SO much more successful!”

Anyone else who doesn’t live near home feel this way??

It killed me. I thought about it every day. I would see other Austin photographer’s work, and be jealous at the fact that they’re in my home town, shooting at locations I want to shoot at, being close to their families and friends. But as time went on (and I mean just this year), and our lives and priorities have changed, I’ve realized…maybe moving here was a blessing in disguise.

Why was jumping from state to state, and living in a new area a blessing in disguise? Well, for starters, I’ve learned a lot about myself and where I want my business to be headed since living here. Here are a few things I’ve learned and come to realize since making the transition to Virginia:

 

• Although Texas’ beauty is its own category, Virginia is beautifully green and colorful in the summer, and white & shimmery in the winter…awesome for photo sessions!!
• I’ve come to learn my style. With each passing session from the last 2 years in Virginia, I’ve grown and learned so much with not only my editing techniques, but also my shooting techniques.
• I’ve come to realize that even when the world is becoming more saturated with photographers; you can still end up finding the right clients for you.
• I’ve learned the importance of community over competition. Lifting others, supporting each other instead of competing with one another, and meeting and becoming friends with people in the industry is not only going great for your business, but great for their business as well. Knowing friends in the industry can really help the loneliness feeling from moving to a new place.
• I’ve been blessed to shoot at jaw-dropping historical landmarks, the ones I’ve only seen on TV and read about in History books.
• My business has grown SO much since moving here!
• The grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

I can’t help but think that moving here happened for a reason. If we never moved here, I would not have met the amazing people, clients, and other creatives who I’ve grown to love, never would have seen (and have the opportunity to photography at!) the amazing landmarks and historical sites, grow my business further than I thought it could go (however there’s still LOTS to learn), and most important, it brought my husband and I’s friendship and marriage closer together. I’m still guilty of having those negative thoughts on occasion about living half way across the country, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Who knows where the road might take me next.