I was standing in a dark parking lot half elated half terrified with what I was about to do. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, and I was questioning myself even as the words came tumbling out of my mouth, “So…You want to do this again?” The awkward pause that followed felt like years went by as I waited for his response. By the time he finally answered I was sure he was going to say a big fat “NO.” To my surprise & delight he said “Yeah, I think I would.” That phrase was the way we ended our first date. Daniel and I didn’t know it then, but that was the beginning of the most amazing whirlwind of a relationship. Six months later we were saying “I do” with our favorite people in the world surrounding us. It was the best feeling in the world!
That same feeling that I had in anticipation of seeing Daniel again was very similar to the one I feel right now as I write this blog. You see after 10 years of shooting hundreds of weddings, families, & portraits I still have this nervousness with sharing my story and advice with others. The voice of insecurity is running through my head saying things like “You’re not good enough to help other photographers” and “No one will want to listen to what you have to say.” Which I know isn’t true and even if it is true I need to do it anyway because every time I’ve felt this mix of anxiety & anticipation it means something really great is about to happen. Growth.
Too often I’ve let those words of insecurity and fear hold me back from great opportunities. Had I listened to that voice at the end of our first date, I may not be married to my gentle, kind, and supportive husband. Loving Daniel has stretched & grown me in to a better person. The more I learn about myself, the more I look for those “uncomfortable opportunities.” Moments where I can choose to do something new and maybe uncomfortable OR I can choose to never do and always wonder. If I fail and people don’t want to read my advice on photography & business, then okay I’ll move on to the next uncomfortable opportunity and maybe that thing will work.
Today though, I’m excited to launch this new section of the blog. If I had a resource like this when I was just starting out it would have saved me so much time & hair pulling! Over the next weeks and months I’ll be writing blogs about practical tips, how I do my thing, and blogs to keep you motivate (which I’ll be writing for me too!). I encourage you to ask me any questions you have in the comments below or shoot me an email at MabynLudke@Gmail.com I’m excited to watch our businesses grow and THRIVE together!
XOXOXO,
Mabyn
