Since the beginning of the new year, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on this business and what it means to me. The reflection was due, in part, to a book I picked up late last year, then because of some incredibly inspiring people I found myself in the company of, and largely due to my own introspective nature and my desire to really build from my heart. It was really a fantastic month in which I had some great conversations with new friends and got a lot out on paper regarding my own dreams and goals for myself and for Lucky Mutt Photography. Taking that time out really solidified for me why I want this business to be such a huge part of my life (because there’s no question that it is), and gave me a filter for making decisions on how to move forward.
In the last month and a half I’ve written this post in my head approximately 478,932 times. No lie. (Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea.) I am not one who wears my heart on my sleeve, and it is most definitely in my nature to keep my crazy dreams closely guarded until I’ve scoped things out and built trust with those around me. But, I realize that while there is risk in putting oneself out there for the world (aka the internets) to see, the rewards can beat those risks by a long shot. And so, I sit here pushing myself out of that oh-so-cozy comfort zone, past my fears, and past that nagging urge inside me to hit “Save as draft” and walk away.
“Until one has loved an animal,
a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
-Anatole France
To me, the heart and soul of Lucky Mutt Photography is not about photography. That is to say, this venture did not stem from a love of my camera…the photography piece is just the outlet I was drawn to. Instead, it is about witnessing and sharing the stories that people share with the pets in their lives. The truth is, I find the bond between people and their pets to be fascinating, endearing, and sometimes even tear-inducing…listening to people talk about their pets captivates me. What I really, really want, is to help people in the Twin Cities celebrate the relationships they have with their pets. For me this is not about remembering what a dog or cat looks like, it is about capturing moments that pay tribute to the special place our pets have in our lives.
Celebrating relationships and celebrating everyday life, that is what I want this part of my life to be about.
by Becky
show hide 11 comments