When will you start?

It's been almost 10 months since I decided to start following the career path that has camera's involved. It first started with content creation, which eventually became the one pursuit I'm chasing now: Photography. I'd thought I'd see some returns on the investment I've put towards getting my gear. As someone who has yet faced trials and tribulations in this field, I was DEAD wrong.

The battery I had to get things going was drained within weeks. I felt discouraged; At times unmotivated to do anything that would bring me progress. There was only one question that I was asking, one question we've probably asked ourselves when we place ourselves in this position: WHY? More specifically "WHY AM I NOT SEEING RESULTS". The past few days I used for self-reflection and a bit of introspection have provided me with answers that seem so obvious now, yet off my radar when I was in a rut.

I wasn't doing enough

You would think that the key to being productive is to make sure you do as much as you can to get one step closer to where you want to be.

Expecting things to go my way, however, blinded me and hindered my ability to get work done. When I say "hindered", I mean leaning towards the perspective of "I got the gear, so I should be good", or "I'll go on my own time".

The bar from MF Doom's "Living of borrowed time, the clock ticks faster" has more meaning in these days. It's already dangerous to assume from the jump, but it's another to think that you have all the time in the world.

Those weeks and months that should've been put towards learning more about the photography business, sending out cold emails, asking friends to arrange photoshoots, or taking the time to learn more about myself/my style was put towards waiting for something to happen, expecting for doors to open for me, expecting for blessings to fall on my lap when I wanted them too. It's a spoiled, idiotic, and dangerous way of thinking that can be a detriment to many people, and I hope you never consider.

No Map

How will you do anywhere in life if you have no direction. As Denzel Washington said: "Dreams without goals are just dreams and ultimately they fuel disappointments". Dreams are the "WHY"; The reason you get up out of bed, the reason you put up with having zero clients weeks on end, the reason you put up with the B.S. and keep moving forward. Goals (somewhat) serve as the "HOW". They're realistic; Our guide for some of the decisions we make. We consider taking action, trying to plan a roadmap towards making our dreams reality. Do they always pan out how we want them to? Not really. Despite that, we adapt, we "keep the heels shifting and moving"

Never get lost in the sauce and live with some form of structure that you know you can stand by.

Excuses, Excuses..... Excuses

"I'm just starting out"..... "I don't have the best gear".... "I'm learning on Instagram and Youtube".... "I don't have an audience",,, "I can't afford a business coach"... " "No one is interested and no one cares".... "I'll never be like this photographer" "I lack the skills needed"... "The world is out to get me"...

The last one might be a stretch, but I'm sure these thoughts have crossed our minds before when thinking why things are moving slow or not going our way. It's a tendency that I myself turn to when nothing is in my favor. Believing that the world will take pity on my is absurd.

Writing this blog makes me think about the times when I always had a weak rebuttal for why I wasn't making any movement and wanted to shift the blame on someone or something else. Admitting that I am the problem is a crucial step towards the change that is needed in my life. Sometimes making the change from within can make the other steps more easy (mentally and emotionally)

Everyone else has it difficult, some aren't blessed with a start pack in life, and yet there are those who refuse to let any negativity or roadblock stop them from achieving their goals. I have a long way to go, but I refuse to let whatever obstacle put in front of me to stop me from getting to where I want to be at the end of the year. I should keep that same mentally moving forward in my career, and I hope you do the same.

These are just words of reflection. Felt like I may need this to serve as a reminder as I carry on in my photography career. Hope you've gained something from this or have learned a bit about me. Best to you.

Lucius Vagari