“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel

While at the grocery store tonight, my husband asked if I was okay. I guess I had that in-my-own-head look. I really didn’t want to get into it while checking out, but as soon as we were in the car, I started talking out loud. Have you done that? Have half of the conversation with yourself, then finally let another person in right in the middle of a sentence? I have been told I do that a lot, haha.

As a photographer, I deal with comparing myself and my business A LOT! At the grocery store I was kicking myself for not finding this love for photography sooner. I am now in a saturated market and with Facebook, Instagram, websites, blogs, newsletters, email lists…booked calendar comparison, preferred vendor lists, education courses…oh, and don’t get me started on work-life balance, but making-sure-you-have-social-proof-of-that-too…it’s SO overwhelming!

Ever since moving to Los Angeles, I have been forced to look at how I run my business. I have also had to change the story I tell myself. Couples would book me because I took pretty pictures. That sounds like a solid business plan for a photographer, but I am asking couples to share the biggest day of their life with me! I can’t just take pretty pictures. I have to give them a personal experience. After all, there is only one me. If couples don’t know who I am…how am I suppose to standout from the saturated market of wedding photographers for them to even look at my pretty pictures??

There is only ONE Ashley Brunell Wedding Photographer. ONE.  There is only ONE Ashley that can make my couples laugh the way I do….. only ONE. I have to keep telling myself this over and over.  WHAT MAKES MY BRAND “MINE” IS “ME”.  It’s the only way I am going to make it in this industry where EVERYONE is becoming photographers these days! I have to stick with what I know BEST and that is MYSELF. 

So, whenever you’re a victim of the “c” word…. or feel like you are being overlooked and swallowed alive by this world…. stick to your roots and don’t lose YOU. Sink your heels into the ground and make a decision to keep true to who YOU are… because no one can be completely, 100% you.

I’ve realized that photography is SO much more than colors, themes, and designs. It is more than followers on Instagram and likes on Facebook.  The personal experience that I give my couples and my “look” comes from me and only me. Without “Ashley”…. Ashley Brunell Photography is just another wedding photographer. Just another vendor to book. Without my personality, my brand would be empty and incomplete.

That my friends is the answer to the comparison issue. No matter what you do day-to-day, give an experience only YOU can give! So, enjoy being confident in who YOU are from now on. Life is a lot more enjoyable that way:)