How my business is changing To Create a more empowering experience

As I go on in my business I have been constantly changing. I have always wanted to empower people through photography as I know what is is like to have low self esteem and feel awkward in front of a camera. I want to change that with my business. If you have low self esteem I want you to leave the photoshoot holding your head up a little higher and have more confidence than when you arrived. I never really knew how to incorporate my image for my business until now! Today I am going to let you guys know how my business is changing! 

1. my mission

I have not one but two mission statements that I hope to achieve in my business. The first one is my overall mission. It is what I hope to accomplish by the time I retire from photography. That mission is: 

"To empower and inspire people through photography, create lasting friendships, and to come together as a community to empower those around us and within the community to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world" 

My second mission is my mission that I want to achieve by the end of each and every photoshoot. If I don't complete this mission each time I know I didn't do my job right. The mission is as follows: 

"To empower my client and to have them leave feeling better about themselves with a higher confidence and better self esteem than when they arrived, as well as to create beautiful images for them to cherish forever" 

2. My Plan to achieve my mission

A mission (or two ;) ) is no good if I don't take action. To complete my overall mission I have created a Facebook group called "MH photo fam. community group" This group is to connect my past and present clients to each other. In this community people can connect with one another, create friendships, lean on each other in hard times, and so much more.

It is also a way for us to come together as a community and give back to the world. through out each year I host various community service project events such as picking up trash, volunteering at a local food shelter and lots of other community service projects. 

Although this community right now has around 20 people (when this was written) I hope it grows to have hundreds or even thousands of people in the group one day. I know a lot of my clients, (especially older people) have been a bit taken back by the group and have rejected the invitation as this is not common in my area for photography businesses to have communities, but I am not any ordinary business. I don't view my clients as just a business transaction but as friends and I want a place to become friends and something bigger than just here's pictures, now bye. I want more than that and I want clients who want to be more than just being a transaction. 

Another way I am working towards completing my mission is through client experience. I bring a positive attitude to all my photoshoots. I help coach my clients from the smallest ways like where to point your toes all the way to what angle to stand or sit, where to look, and even making sure every hair on your head is not out of place. I use positive wording when I pose my clients. Instead of saying "No don't look left look right!" I may say "Instead of looking to your left look to your your right, Perfect you are doing so well!" This creates a positive environment that my clients can relax and enjoy their time with me. I also strive to do what I can to make you feel like the best version of yourself. 

Lastly, although I could probably talk forever on my plans my last main way I am going to make my mission a success is by furthering my education. I am always looking to learn new things in order to stay up to date and to keep things new and exciting. whether education means college, working with another photographer or even learning from my clients! I just want to learn and strive to be better than I was yesterday! 

3. What photography projects I take on 

In the beginning I took every project that was handed to me. I have narrowed it down some and may continue to narrow it down in the future but here is what I offer now! If you don't see one on the list it doesn't mean I am unwilling (never hurts to ask me!), but depending upon what it is I may decline the offer. 

• Maternity- I think maternity is beautiful. Our bodies have been creating life for nine months and I think that is truly empowering on what our female bodies can due and I want to capture that moment with you
• Newborn + Baby Milestones- You only get to seem them so young for so long why not capture the moment while you can to remember from years to come. You didn't have 12+ hours of labor for nothing did you? :) 
• Boudoir- Let those negative things people say about our body and chuck them out the window! This one I feel might be the most empowering for most. You get to feel comfortable in your skin, look beautiful and sexy and really let loose and let go of all of people's thoughts and social norms about women (and men) in these sessions. 
• Couple/Engagement + Weddings- Show off your love! especially for men this can be powerful. Men tend to have been taught to not show love or really any emotion publicly (which is BS!) and I think that is wrong. It is okay for you to be public and show emotion which I want to capture with you guys as a couple. I love seeing guys (and girls) affectionate side come out in these shoots. 
• Empowerment photoshoots- I have done Divorce/break ups, BFF, weight loss or weight gain, self confidence booster, coming out of the closet, etc any other photo shoot that aims to empower the client and can be powerful!

As I do photography more there will be more and more changes, but here are my main changes I am making today! I want to thank everybody who has followed my journey and has watched me grow to what I am now!