Niche is a strange word…. Webster says that it means “a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment”. This makes me LOL. As a photographer, my understanding is that I am supposed to find this….in my photography. It is a question that I have wrestled with since the beginning….. 7 looooooooong months ago. Really, longer than that.
When I got my wedding photos back – I said to myself, “self, let’s do that.” I only ever said it to myself. That was nearly 6 years ago. Last year, I was in school for Healthcare Administration. Because, that’s what I do during the day. And it seemed easy. And its good money. My amazing husband and I were discussing the future, as we often do, and he asked me what I want to do with a HA degree. I stared blankly at him. I didn’t know. And I didn’t know, because I didn’t want to do that as my “when I grow up…” job. He asked me, “well, what do you want to do?” Well…….. “I want to be a photographer”.
So, here I am. Photographer-ing. And it’s scary. Some people only see smiling faces staring back at them. But this is a piece of me. It’s my work. It’s my passion. It’s my artwork. And it’s horrifying to put it out there. (Where is “there”, anyway?)
This week I met with “my” photographer. And she told me that it was time to find my niche and work towards that. GASP! The horror of making a decision!! Say it isn’t so. I have my hand in a little bit of everything. Newborns? Yes! Weddings? Hell, yes! Families, Seniors, Real Estate, Commercial, Engagement? Yes, Yes, Yes. Because…who I am to turn away business? Well, I’m a photographer with no niche, that’s who I am!
Looks like I’ve found, with much guidance, a place to start. I have booked my first solo wedding for this summer. I was so excited that I almost injured myself doing my happy dance. Then I wanted to throw up and take a nap. A wedding. The most pressure a photographer can have on them. All of those one-time and first moments that you have one shot at. Sigh….. pressure! But I am stoked. Over the moon excited right now. And thankfully, I have 4 months to prepare!!
So… comfortable? No. But in “a suitable position”? Yep. I got this.
kpg moments photography 