Ramblings
New Beginnings are hard. Babysteps.
I am switching from Meta to Substack and, of course, I’m falling into another rabbit hole scrolling content. The difference? It’s so much calmer and more authentic here.
Before I fully pull the plug on IG and FB, though, I need to figure out how to stay connected with some of the folks I know—most of my friends are State Dept, locals I met while posted overseas, or work at USAID (sigh).
My business as real estate photographer has pretty much tanked the past year. I’m not joining the race to the bottom with pricing and quality. I mean, joining companies like HomeVisit would only pay me about $100 per shoot. Even working 40 hours a week consistently, I’d barely make minimum wage—definitely not enough to live in the DC metro area. And that’s with my own gear and my own car to get around, no health insurance, no 401K, no paid leave…nothing.
I have 3 realtors as clients who value me for my work and -for me. And I love them. Love shooting for them. I will always shoot for them when they ask.
However, for the most part, I want to move away from real estate. I would love nothing more than working with interior designers and architects, maybe even builders.
So now I’m trying to figure out how to make this new social media work for me and for my business. My account here on substack and my new profile on foto. Is it possible to be my authentic crazy bumbled weird self ? Or do I need to separate myself and my own stuff from the business side?
Honestly, I’m really glad to be making this change. I want to be authentic in both my professional and artistic work. Reading these amazing Substack publications is making me dig deeper into my own conviction. Once my attention span gets back on track, and I stop worrying about how often I should post or what I should post, I might actually start creating again.
As the title says: Ramblings. Thanks for reading!
And I’ll be happy to hear from you!
For some people, keeping professional and personal work (and lives - religious, political, et-al) separated is very important. For me, old and retired, there is no separation needed. I can be " to be my authentic crazy bumbled weird self." I no longer profess to do anything as a professional. I'm a hobbyist who is not seeking an income from the hobby.
But, for those who must not push away potential clients, one must evaluate their audience or their potential or present clients and learn if those clients are likely to evaluate and exclude you based on something other than the work you do. Wearing a MAGA hat to photograph a LGBTQ wedding is not conducive to gaining additional wedding gigs.
"So now I’m trying to figure out how to make this new social media work for me and for my business. My account here on substack and my new profile on foto. Is it possible to be my authentic crazy bumbled weird self ? Or do I need to separate myself and my own stuff from the business side?"