Building, Blooming, Becoming: What I’ve Learned in Two Years as a Photographer

I am so grateful to be celebrating two years in business this month! 

This journey has been rewarding in more ways than one. I’ve grown so much mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Starting my business helped pull me out of a foggy place. It’s been a rollercoaster of pivots and lessons, including learning to accept that sometimes things won’t look the way you originally planned. And that’s okay, because they often turn out even more beautiful than I imagined.

I’m excited for what’s to come for Queen and Her Camera. But before looking too far ahead, I took some time to reflect. I'm sure many can relate, and I hope these thoughts will encourage and inspire someone else along the way. 

10 Things I’ve Learned in Two Years of Business

1. Build a strong foundation.

Something I’ve learned early on is the importance of running things legitimately - getting licensed and insured, paying taxes (based on your state laws), and using contracts. These things have helped me feel more confident and protected in my business. I also want to note that having business insurance is very important if you want to work at specific sites and venues that may require you to have coverage. 

2. Write it ALL down.

Writing down my goals, visions, and every little idea in between has helped me tremendously. Having a central place to brain-dump ideas helps me clear my mind and return to those thoughts when it’s time to take action. One thing that’s worked well for me is breaking the year into quarters, then mapping out each month and week within those timeframes. I like to set weekly goals and organize them by category. This helps me stay focused and makes it easier to see what’s actually working when it comes to time management. I haven’t been as consistent this year (phew, life!), but I definitely feel the difference when I’m not in my routine. 

3. Be consistent. 

Consistency is more than just aesthetics. Deliver work that matches what you promote. Honor your contracts and timelines. Communicate when delays happen. Keep sharing your work, even when engagement feels low or the season is slow. Don’t underestimate the power of quiet consistency. It builds trust and longevity.

4. Give yourself grace. 

A fellow photographer once reminded me to stay flexible, and not just with scheduling. Sometimes you miss a shot on your list or get pulled in a different creative direction mid-session. That’s okay. Especially during outdoor shoots - nature, the light, the movement, or the mood might shift and inspire something unexpected. Trust it. We use our superpower of observation to create meaningful art, and your unique perspective matters. So go with the flow, embrace every moment, and don’t beat yourself up. Progress over perfection.

Also, as a military spouse, I’ve had to pivot so many times. While that can be frustrating, I’ve learned to view these pauses as moments of redirection or rest. Go with the flow. 

5. Let the process lead you.

There’s no perfect roadmap for this, especially for mompreneurs. What works for one person may not work for you. I encourage you to stay curious, keep experimenting, and trust that growth happens through the doing, not just the planning. Experience is an amazing teacher.

6. Stay in your lane. Do not, I repeat, do not seek validation.

It’s easy to get distracted by trends or caught up in comparison. But your creativity, your vision, and your “why” are what make you stand out. The more you move in alignment with your own values, the more fulfilled and confident you’ll feel. One of the hardest (but most freeing) lessons I’ve learned is to stay in my own lane and stop looking for outside validation. I’m really proud of the mental rigor I’ve developed over the years, as it takes a lot to keep showing up in spite of this or that. Persistence is what fuels long-term impact, not instant validation.

7. Don't settle. 

I've found that not every opportunity will align with your vision. Sometimes you’ll need to take on less inspiring work to pay the bills, but be sure to schedule sessions that speak to your heart and reflect your creative voice as well. Additionally, work with clients who respect your boundaries and value your work and ensure that your pricing reflects your skill, time, and the quality you bring.

8. Set boundaries and stick to them. 

This work can be non-stop, so protecting your peace is crucial to sustaining your creativity and staying grounded and mentally well in the long run. Whether it's having set communication hours or scheduling time off to rest, spend time with family and friends, or enjoying your other interests - honor your boundaries.

9. Don't get complacent.

There’s always more to learn and there is always something to do. Watch tutorials, invest in courses, try something new. Whether it's improving your editing, developing better marketing strategies, refreshing your website, or dreaming up new ideas, push yourself to grow and evolve. I've found that these things help keep my passion alive. Entrepreneurship keeps you on your toes - embrace it!

10. Fight the urge to overthink.

I’ve had to learn (and re-learn) that taking action, even imperfectly, is always better than waiting until something feels “ready.” Some of your best work will come from just going for it. Perfectionism will keep you stuck. The sooner you get your ideas out of your head and into action, the sooner they can bless someone else.

As I was reflecting and writing this post, I realized that I could go on to share at least 5 more things, but I wanted to keep this as concise as possible. 

Here’s to more blessings, deeper connections, continued growth, and meaningful creativity in the years ahead!

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Jae