When I began my business when I was 19, it didn’t start easy for me, either.

I borrowed my mom’s camera (yep, I didn’t even have my own), had a lot of encouraging pep talks with my husband, and grinded my wheels non-stop. I knew I needed to find high-quality clients who believed my work was worth their hard-earned money.

I hustled HARD and after just 10 months, I had almost 20 weddings booked. Within one year, I matched my teachers salary I *would* have made if I stayed in college.

In year two, we moved to Atlanta from Tampa and business didn’t slow down at all. My calendar became booked out with destination weddings that left me traveling more than being home.

Then in year three, I hit a wall. It was dark, I found myself in bed for an entire month due to burnout. I was traveling weekly, shooting multiple sessions every week, and lived out of a suitcase. I let it continue for too long before I finally said never again and massively upped my prices and created a system to book higher end clients so I could work less and enjoy my life more.

These workaholic ways brought me success (like being able to afford to build a home at 21), but it also left me with a business that depended on me running 24/7 and never taking a break. 

I leaned into my analytic and strategy side, and I was able to come up with a much more sustainable system for my business because the constant hustle was unattainable. I was living, eating, and breathing work, and I didn’t want that to be my life.

I was living the "glamorous" life of being a destination photographer but I was dead tired. I missed being home. I lived for the few weekends a year when I didn't work. I honestly didn't even know what it was like to have weekend brunch with my husband because I was never home to be able to go with him. I missed years of fall traditions and holiday fun because it was my busy season, and while I loved what I did I began to wonder if it was really worth all I was giving up. 

As you can imagine, after 3 seasons of pure burnout I finally made a big effort to avoid it for good. 

 I knew something needed to change so I joined a mastermind that forever changed the way I viewed my business. I quickly realized my ability to grow a successful business that wouldn’t have me traveling 30-40 weekends a year. 

I BELIEVE:

That business can be fun and easy. That you don’t have to have it all together, be the best, or have the perfect whirlwind of events to see success. You just need a little strategy and determination. 

I'm NOT ABOUT:

24/7 hustle mode. Slimy sales tactics that make your client feel like you are lying. Believing business tactics are a one size fits all. Giving up weekend brunch for work. 

YOU CAN FIND ME:

At petsmart with the pups
Mexican restaurant with my husband 
Or At the chick-fil-a drive through for a sweet tea pick me up

daily must haves:

Most days start with podcasts while getting ready, ball time with the pups, and a large cup of coffee. 
Every day ends with a quick netflix binge before bed and a few pages of reading before I turn the lights out! 

I’ll never forget the words, “you are so much more than a photographer.”

My coach said those words to me and it changed everything. In that moment I gave myself permission to not only believe that but act on it. 

Now, here we are.

I took that same strategy I mastered in my business and needed to see if it worked for other photographers who were struggling to fill their calendars and IT DID.

I’m living my happiest life teaching other photographers how to run a profitable business that aligns with their hopes and dreams. Being a business owner is hard, but I truly believe with the right strategy, support, and freedom to dream anything is possible.

That’s exactly why the Inner Circle was born.