It's just me, a work in progress.
As I am growing my online business, I am learning to come out of my shell more and more. You see, I also am, and have been, a photographer for nearly 20 years, everything I did was face to face or from behind a camera. In order to book a contract, either Wedding or Commercial, I had to go to an in-person meeting. In order to do the job, I was hired to do - another in-person event. Then, for the majority of my sales and delivery, again, it was an in-person meeting. This online, in front of the camera, zoom meetings, the virtual world is new to me. AND if I am being totally honest, it scares the crap out of me.
I have never been one who was confident in front of the camera. I learned that in grade 10 when I auditioned to be in the school play. I was so full of confidence, I was 100% positive I would get the lead role. I practiced ALL THE TIME. I was performing in front of friends in the hallway, in the drama room, outside in the field, then again at home. In front of the mirror, family, neighbours...I was going to be a STAR!
Then it was the day of the audition, ready and rearing to go I walked into the drama room, went right up on stage, introduced myself to the 10 or so people in the seats and told them what I was going to perform. They responded with a "Great, whenever you are ready." Then, they brought out the camera and turned it on.
BAM - I FROZE. That was it. My dream of becoming the next Drew Barrymore was over. I was done, and until recently, purposely being in front of a camera was something I avoided at every opportunity.
Fast forward to spring of 2020, when the days of in-person meetings came to a screeching halt... Now, in 2022, everything you read about being a business owner states that in order to have a successful online business, you have to be the face of your company and in front of the camera on a regular basis...That's it, I'm screwed...
Okay, not really but it sure feels that way sometimes! Being in front of the camera, going live on social media, recording silly videos of lip-syncing and dancing seem to be the best way to get noticed. YIKES! That is not who I am, and it is not something I am comfortable doing. In-person - you bet your arse I am going to get up and dance, be free and have fun but on-camera...nope. Not going to happen.
I am not even much of a selfie taker - if you look at my personal Instagram feed, for the longest time all I took photos of was my feet! (I am a shoe person, so it made sense to me...) It took a long time for me to start showing my face...
My husband and I have this running joke: every time we take a selfie, he somehow cuts me out. So most of our vacation photos are just him looking happy and the top of my head in the corner. Our family rolls their eyes. We think it’s comedy gold.
That said, I’ve always preferred creating from behind the scenes. I write blogs and digital products. I build courses. I design planners I actually use. I run a calm, no-hype mastermind. And yes—I still photograph people who hate being photographed (because I get it).
These days, I’m also making an effort to step in front of the camera—not because I love it, but because growth usually looks uncomfortable.
I’m still a work in progress. But honestly? I like it that way.
