Guest Post by Jennifer Carr

Hello friend,

One evening a few weeks ago as I was getting ready for bed, I had the realization that my time at our little cottage in the OBX was coming to an end for the spring and I hadn’t made it out much for sunrise.  Even to a morning person, sunrise arrives early in June.  All the reasons not to get up at 4:45 am played on repeat in my head.

I’m tired.
I’ll get up for sunrise when we return in the fall, it’s later then.
I’ve already photographed sunrise here a million times.
I’m already behind on editing, why give myself more work.

As I attempted to drift off to sleep, the reasons not to gave way to one simple reason to…. just go.  I rolled over, set my alarm, and slipped away into a restful sleep.  The next morning, I woke before the alarm, poured my coffee, and set off to the beach with my camera.  I continued this each morning until the day we locked the cottage up until we return in the fall.  

I noticed a shift in myself that week.  Despite getting up before 5 am each day, I didn’t feel tired.  I felt happier, lighter, more inspired.  I returned from the beach each morning feeling accomplished.  I noticed that the more I went through the motions, the more driven I was to continue to get up and spend time with my camera.  

Too often as photographers, we complain that we are uninspired.  We feel stuck, stagnant, and less than.  We sulk and stew in self-doubt, fear, and inaction.  What we don’t seem to realize is that the simple act of creating gives way to more creativity.  

 “Inspiration does not beget action. Action begets inspiration.” -Chinese Proverb

The next time you feel burdened with all of the reasons why you aren’t creating the photographs you want to create, I encourage you to step away from the computer.  Put down the phone.  Close the book.  Pick up your camera, put one foot in front of the other, and bring the viewfinder to your eye.  

I don’t have time.
I’m not good enough.
I don’t have the right gear.
I don’t know enough.
No one follows me anyway.
I don’t know where to start.
That doesn’t work for me.

Do any of these sound familiar to you?  Does the loud voice in your head overpower the soft voice in your heart?  Imagine if you had a reply for each of these excuses.  Imagine if instead of wishing and waiting, you just started doing.  Imagine if, when it got hard, you kept going.

I invite you to join me for Create Confidently, a small group mentoring program designed to help you become the photographer you long to be.

This intimate small group mentoring program is designed to provide you with an environment of openness to foster your photography growth. Limited to 6 participants, the program includes:

• Personalized Virtual Introduction: A one hour 1 on 1 private virtual session with me to discuss your personal goals, objectives, and what you would like to achieve during this three-month period. Following the session, you will receive a road map to work towards those goals.

• Weekly Assignments: Each week you will receive a PDF filled with technique, examples, and project assignments on topics such as how to improve your photographs technically, creatively, and emotionally. Additional exercises will include connecting with your audience, maximizing what tools you already have, and understanding how to create more impact.

• Monthly Group Virtual Discussion: A monthly group video call to allow for open discussion and a comfortable space to learn, grow, and stretch your creative wings.

• Closing Personalized Virtual Session: A one hour 1 on 1 private virtual session to discuss the outcome of the program, the steps you have taken to reach your goals, and how to continue to grow in your photography journey. In addition to virtual discussion calls, this group will be hosted in a private Facebook group where you will be able to share your photographs, ask questions, and work together to grow into the photographers you hope to be.

This program is designed for the intermediate photographer who is comfortable shooting in manual mode and looking to take her photographs to the next level.

How can I help you see that this is exactly what you need?  Have doubts? Email me at jcarr@jennifercarrphotography.com and we’ll talk it out.

https://www.jennifercarrphotography.com/small-group-mentoring

xo, 
Jenny

Jennifer Carr is a landscape, nature, and travel photographer known for her vibrant, uplifting images. She spends much of her time outdoors and is an avid traveler, always with her Sony camera in hand. She is drawn to photograph the beauty of the natural world around her, capturing colors and light. Jennifer offers private and small group photography mentoring and hosts The Saltwater Retreat for women. She welcomes email at jcarr@jennifercarrphotography.com.  You can find her on Instagram @jennifercarrphotography