The definition of shift is as follows: shift v. :change in emphasis, direction, or focus.

I have learned so much since I decided to start up my own portrait business in the summer of 2010. When I first started, I knew I wanted to shoot portraits more than anything. I knew I was given the gift to connect with others in a genuine way. I also knew that I was born a creative, with a drive to be extraordinary. What I didn’t always realize is as a solopreneur, there’s a business side to this whole “follow your dreams” thing.

You learn a lot in 13 years. You learn that there still is so much more to be learned.

Who here feels like they need a reset?

MEEEE! 5,4,3,2,1…go! (Thank you, Mel Robbins for this amazing 5 second rule!) That has been my mantra the last year and a half. Count backwards from 5 to 1, and then DECIDE. And so? I made some decisions.

My deciding, or “reset” if you will, has many moving parts. I’ve decided to leave the studio space in my home town, and will be leasing space on a part-time basis in St. Paul. Ideally, I’d love to run and own a brick & mortar photo studio space someday, but for now, this is where I’m landing. It’s a weird time out there in commercial property land for leasing space, and this opportunity suits me well.

I’ve also decided to shift my product offerings to albums and wall art for my portrait lines of business. It is really important to me that I provide my clients with a full service experience from start to finish, and oddly enough, I’m talking about beginning with the end in mind. You can read about the process, or the way that I will be doing things at my studio going forward, as it’s different than most photographers out there. I’m really stoked about it! I feel like I will better connect with my clients by helping them with the photos we take for their session.

I’m also channeling my inner business self, and have seen a need for professionals from the solopreneurs like myself, to small businesses, and even the larger corporations needing a serious refresh in their personal branding and brand message clarity - especially if they are using social media. Just before the holidays, I too had my own personal branding shoot with one of my branding mentors, Heike Delmore, as I knew I was wanting to launch a new website with a new, cleaner look, and with a clearer message than I ever had before. I want for all of the business professionals I come in contact with to have that same clarity and branding for their business.

When is the last time you had your headshot taken?

In the last 2 years I’ve given more thought to portraits for women, with the mission and hopes to help empower them, make them feel seen, heard, and loved. Again, there seems to be an overdue need to help my sisters in the world feel heard and validated, and be seen as beautiful and celebrated.

I’m feeling really positive about the business shift, and appreciate the clients I’ve worked with along the way. I wouldn’t be here without your trust and support.

There’s way too much to unpack in an already super long novel of a blog. I’ll chime in again with more updates!

Fondly,

Monda the Photographer