Quote of the day: 

“Remember to delight yourself first, then others can be truly delighted.”

This was my mantra when I published my first book in 1990, and still holds true. When we focus on the song of our soul and heart, then others will be touched similarly. Sometimes people wonder or worry whether people will like or approve of their creative expression. It’s none of your business. It’s your business to stay present and focused for the work of your deepest dreams. It might look crooked or strange, or be very odd-but if it delights you, then it is yours, and will find it’s way into other hearts.”
— SARK

Surprise! Yarn bomb on tree near Minnehaha Creek

I love the practice of reviewing the previous month’s photos for Kat Sloma’s photo-heart connection! When I reviewed the photos I took in July, it filled me with joy just to see the colors, shapes, textures, and variety my work contained. When I’m working day by day it’s easy to lose sight of the reason I’m doing what I’m doing or to downplay my work. I just marked the first anniversary of starting my business in July 2011. What I’ve learned during the past year cannot be quantified or reflected in a business plan or annual report. Instead, it is written in my heart.

I chose this photo as my heart-connection for July, because whoever created this lovely yarn bomb, made it for the joy of it. Creating beauty and helping people see beauty around themselves and inside themselves is the work of my heart and soul. I never planned it. In fact, I spent many years wishing that I could discover my life purpose. Somehow it snuck up on me when I least expected it. And now I cannot imagine living my life without photography being a big part of it.

Photography brings me such joy and fulfillment, I’d do it whether I was getting paid or not. Hey—that’s right—I’m not getting paid for most of the work I do. I’ve sold some orders from my Etsy shop in the past year, done a few paid portrait gigs, and hosted 3 different exhibits in the past year, but I have yet to break even in my photography business.

Part of that is intentional. It’s not that I don’t want to make money, but more that I’ve been working on building my skills, learning what feeds my heart and soul, and deciding how I want to shape my business. I don’t want to mindlessly create stuff or try to sell stuff that has no meaning. I do want to make a positive difference in the world and to be fully present in the work that I do.

But it’s not easy starting a business or following one’s heart in our culture. Every time I get caught up in wondering what in the #@X# I’m doing or thinking that I need to quit and get a job, some inspiration shows up in my life that reminds me that while this path is not easy, it is what my heart and soul need to do. It’s possible that I will need to get a part-time job to make money so that I can do the work of my heart and soul. That’s ok too. I have chosen to trust and to build the bridge as I walk on it.

I’m working on a new website and business focus that has come out of my learning and discovery during the past year. It’s grounded in my belief that everyone is beautiful and that seeing the beauty in oneself heals the soul. It is also grounded in my experiences making portraits of women. So many are so hard on themselves, seeing only the things they don’t like about themselves and completely missing their own beauty. July has been a month of making lots of portraits of women, creating the vision and structure of the business, as well as starting to design the new website. My plan is to complete the design and launch the new website and business focus by the end of August. Wish me luck!

 


Marilyn

Photographer sharing beauty, grace & joy in photographs and blog posts. I live in the Twin Cites in Minnesota, the land of lakes, trees, and wonderful nature.

20 Comments

Suzette · August 1, 2012 at 4:03 pm

Thank you for your beautiful words today…I won’t go into it, but boy did I need a pick-me-up! Your words, “I have chosen to trust and to build the bridge as I walk on it.” really struck a cord in me. I’m going to remember those words as I move forward with where I am right now.

~ Suzette

    Marilyn · August 2, 2012 at 2:07 am

    I’m so glad you stopped by today and that my words struck a chord for you. May you move forward with grace and ease.

Sandra · August 1, 2012 at 4:16 pm

I love the texture on the bark of the tree and the unexpected colourful yarn decoration (with eyes!)
Yes, creating things for the sheer joy of the actual process, this is a beautiful thing to do.

    Marilyn · August 2, 2012 at 2:07 am

    Thank you. I love the texture of the bark in contrast to the texture of the knitting too.

Ginny · August 1, 2012 at 5:13 pm

I absolutely wish you luck but honestly I don’t think you will need it. I love what you are doing and why you are doing it. It sounds like you know what you want to accomplish and will be very successful.

I think the women who have their portraits taken by you will be very very lucky. I look forward to reading more about your journey.

    Marilyn · August 2, 2012 at 2:09 am

    Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It is so helpful.

geetlee · August 1, 2012 at 8:26 pm

Hi Marilyn,
Your post speaks volumes to me. I am seriously considering taking up portrait photography as a profession.. it’s exciting and scary and my mind is still unmade up!!
Reading your post put a lot of things in perspective for me.
Thank you 🙂

    Marilyn · August 2, 2012 at 2:10 am

    I wish you all the best as you decide whether to try portrait photography as a profession. I’m glad my post spoke to you. Blessings!

LeaAnn · August 1, 2012 at 11:48 pm

Hi Marilyn – I am so happy for you. You are truely an inspiration for me. I love that you are following your heart. We all should do that. Life is short so we need to enjoy every minute of it.

Marilyn · August 2, 2012 at 2:12 am

Oh, thank you LeaAnn. It is so good to hear from you. Life is short and sweet. Hope all is well with you. Let me know if you want to go out photographing somewhere with me sometime soon.

Deborah · August 2, 2012 at 1:31 pm

I love this post! The image is one that just brings a smile to my face and your words about your own journey with life, photography, and creating your business are so refreshing. What a great example for all…that you do this for the joy of it.

Kat Sloma · August 2, 2012 at 2:06 pm

I like how you are approaching your business… trying things on and seeing what works for you. It makes no sense to own your own business and to do something you don’t absolutely love – we can do that for someone else! Thank you for sharing this beautiful smile of a photo and your journey in the Photo-Heart Connection.

    Marilyn · August 4, 2012 at 1:30 am

    And thank you Kat for creating Photo-Heart Connection. Such a lovely way to connect with what is important to each one of us.

Susan · August 2, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Ummm. wow. what great thoughts. I cannot seem to give myself permission to do what you have done. the hovering responsibility of paying a mortgage has away or cutting the threads of those dreams. I applaud you.
Yarn Bomb. too funny. I have a friend who sells funky knit hats-she would love this.

    Marilyn · August 4, 2012 at 1:29 am

    Susan, I am very lucky to be able to take this risk at this time of my life. If I had the responsibility for paying a mortgage or my kids were still in college I don’t think I would have the courage to pursue this either. So, perhaps someday your time will come.

Naomi · August 4, 2012 at 12:41 am

Love this! Creating it just for the joy of it but also SHARING it for others to enjoy. Such a nice find.

Cathy H. · August 6, 2012 at 5:47 pm

Wonderful image and words! I’ve been spending more times this summer being creative and it’s certainly brought me joy!

Becs · August 7, 2012 at 7:29 am

I loved reading your words and your approach to your business. Lovely image and tribute to the joy of creativity too.

Els(ie) · August 7, 2012 at 7:17 pm

What a sweet photo, I love it, I love the structure in the tree and the knitting. And I whis you the best with starting your own compagnie in photograhy

Margaret · August 8, 2012 at 3:39 pm

Love the photo… great light, texture and color.

Your story is fabulous and certainly resonates with me as I seem to be heading into a different phase of life one where I am trying to reach find my true self.

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