For months I have been debating on whether or not I was going to make a big deal out of this new brand launch. Mainly because I feel like ever since my business started in the summer of 2010 I have been changing things within my business – almost to a fault – and I didn’t want you all to be like, “oh, ya, here she goes again…” Because I know that is what some of you will do, and admittedly, for good reason. But the last few days have been rough for me. Like, crying-to-my-husband-and best friend-wanting-to-quit, kind of rough. With the “big reveal” around the corner the pressure has been on. It really feels like all my audacious goals and dreams are coat-tailing this website/blog/brand launch as if that is the ONLY way my business will get to where I want it to be.
Last night I sat in front of my computer – head in hands – looking at my husband through bleary teary filled eyes and wondered if it was all worth it. The answer is of course, yes, it is totally worth it, but not in the way that you may think. I have put an incredible amount of pressure on myself to get better at my technical skill and even more demands to make this a great and lasting brand, but as the new launch has gotten closer I have lost sight of the ONLY thing that makes this business all worth it – the LOVE. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s so true. If you are a photographer and you are reading this, you get it. You have stressed about, and endured, many hours of self doubt and discouragement about running your own business and I am sure you have at one time lost sight of the reason you came into the business in the first place. I haven’t met a photographer that has said, “I came into photography for the money” because we all know that isn’t the case. Yes, it’s true; of course most of us want to have a profitable business. Who wouldn’t? But that is not why we came into the industry of photography. I would presume that most everyone came into the business because of either their love for art or their love for people. Last night, Steve asked me a very direct and very necessary question: What defines success for your business? I immediately knew my answer, but took a minute to think about it to make sure that my heart truly believed the answer. Success for me has everything to do with my outreach to this community. I want to be that photographer who is your family photographer. Someone who you trust and you feel comfortable with to sit on the front porch and chat candidly about your childhood, your struggles and joys in motherhood, your silly traditions you have with your family. I want you to talk my ear off about how your love for your husband never slowed down after you said your vows. And how you desire to have a marriage more beautiful than your wedding and that despite the hardships (and I am sure there are some), it has been that beautiful. I love sitting with the newly engaged couple who are already thinking about raising a family before they are even married because raising a family in love is their definition of success.
This past fall I went to an amazing conference and was totally inspired by other people in photography or design industry. The creator of Southern Weddings Magazine, Lara Casey, spoke about her fears and dreams and how important it was to her to have a brand with a heartbeat. I want that. All of this rebrand and redesign is not just to look more professional it is because I want to create something that is near and dear to my heart. Something with a heartbeat.
In the next month I will be rolling out my new website, marketing materials, and a whole new experience with Stacy Hart – Love Multilpied. I’m so so excited! And not just because it’s a big project that has been months in the making, but because it is the start of my transition to shooting what I love to photograph; Your family’s love story- from the beginning. Simple or not, your lives make up one beautiful, crazy, amazing love story and I want to be your storyteller.
So there it is folks –It’s my dream that Stacy Hart- Love Multiplied is going to be way more than just taking good pictures. I want to meet the families who believe in the power of love and I want to photograph the moments that cannot be duplicated. I want to photograph the almost missed moments; the lingering kisses, the smiles that follow, the way your body relaxes the minute your baby rests on your chest, the time-stopping love you feel when your fiance grasps your hands. I want to be there when your heart has grown and your love multiplied. And then I want to bottle that up for you for the rest of time.
With Love,
Stacy
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